Manual Physical Therapy in Green Park, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Green Park, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Green Park, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Green Park, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Green Park, MO 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 pain or mobility issues in Green Park, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website 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 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 used for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes 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, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in concert with other kinds of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. 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 by itself. At Axes, our Green Park, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Green Park, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Green Park

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Green Park, 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 up to 84%of American adults experience at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Green Park, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in localized areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in 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 limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Green Park, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Green Park, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Green Park, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain 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 limited range of motion in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, like injury or making the current injury worse.

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 muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Green Park, MO physical therapist applies 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 TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Green Park, MO physical therapists to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During a 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Green Park, MO Can Help You

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Reduced 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.
Increased range of motion — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
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 beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other medical procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Improved quality of life — By reducing 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 activities they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Green Park, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Green Park, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Green Park

Manual Physical Therapy in Green Park, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Green Park, MO. 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 Green Park, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.