Manual Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Hazelwood, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Hazelwood, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Hazelwood, 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 suffering an illness or injury in Hazelwood, MO that’s keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for 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 has been used for millennium to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques 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, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Hazelwood, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Hazelwood, 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 can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults deal with 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 accident.
- Sports injuries — Hazelwood, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition 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 examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or lack of motion, consult with an Axes Hazelwood, MO 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 enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Hazelwood, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Hazelwood, MO may use, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various 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 often used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently 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 cracking sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation, on the other hand, 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 restore a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of 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. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore 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 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 stretch 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Hazelwood, MO 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. 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO
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 can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance 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 who recently had surgery or other invasive 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 calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Hazelwood, MO include:
- Neck Pain Treatment
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
Manual Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Hazelwood, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Hazelwood, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or reach out to the location most convenient to you.
