Manual Physical Therapy in Granite City, IL | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Granite City, IL: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Granite City, IL. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Granite City, IL physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Granite City, 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 suffering an illness or injury in Granite City, IL that’s preventing you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated defines “manual therapy” as:

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 known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other techniques, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Granite City, IL physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Granite City, IL | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Granite City

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Granite City, IL

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve 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 help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Granite City, IL who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game 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 can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple 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 provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or lack of motion, consult with an Axes Granite City, IL physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Granite City, IL Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Granite City, IL may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using various techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore 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 stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be performed by a physical therapist, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, like injury or making the current injury worse.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal movement. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, 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 giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Granite City, 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 trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, and it’s 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 some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Granite City, IL

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced range of motion — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved circulation — 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 promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Granite City, IL include:

Manual Physical Therapy Granite City, IL | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Granite City

Manual Physical Therapy in Granite City, IL | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Granite City, 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Granite City, IL residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.

Manual Physical Therapy Granite City, IL