Manual Physical Therapy in Gray Summit, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Gray Summit, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Gray Summit, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most 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 Gray Summit, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re experiencing pain or mobility issues in Gray Summit, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

The IFOMPT 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 has been utilized for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Gray Summit, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Gray Summit, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

• Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some stage in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Gray Summit, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative condition that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve mobility, 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 effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness, consult with an Axes Gray Summit, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Gray Summit, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Gray Summit, MO may use, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying 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 flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using numerous different techniques such as massage therapy, 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 blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to treat 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and limit pain 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 there typically isn’t any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people 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 carried out by qualified healthcare professional, 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Gray Summit, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 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 gradually, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Gray Summit, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Gray Summit, MO

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

• Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased flexibility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Gray Summit, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery quicker. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Better quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less anxiety, 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 Gray Summit, MO 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 Gray Summit, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Gray Summit, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Gray Summit, MO residents get back to the activities they love 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.