Manual Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Glen Carbon, IL. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Glen Carbon, IL physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Glen Carbon, IL uses skilled hand movements, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and manipulation, to improve joint and muscle function, reduce pain, and restore mobility.. If you’re experiencing an illness or injury in Glen Carbon, IL that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.
What Is Manual Physical Therapy?
a specialized area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.
Manual physical therapy dates back to 400 BCE. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in concert with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Glen Carbon, IL physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Glen Carbon, IL
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults experience at some point in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Glen Carbon, IL who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Glen Carbon, IL physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Our Glen Carbon, IL Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Glen Carbon, IL may use, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be done using various techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by a physical therapist, as it can come with certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal function. Myofascial release is can be part of a treatment plan for a wide variety of injuries and conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
During your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further the effects of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Glen Carbon, IL physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.
During your trigger point therapy appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue that is affecting you. The pressure is applied gradually and sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other medical procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Glen Carbon, IL include:
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Manual Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Glen Carbon, IL. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal health and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Glen Carbon, IL residents return to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.
