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

Manual Physical Therapy in Hematite, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Hematite, 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 Hematite, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Hematite, 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 an illness or injury in Hematite, MO that’s keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest 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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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 numerous different 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.

The goal of manual physical therapy is 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. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Hematite, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Hematite, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Hematite

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Hematite, 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Hematite, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker through 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 impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating 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, speak to an Axes Hematite, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Hematite, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Hematite, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:

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 goal of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out 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 treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for 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 sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients 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 performed by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be associated with certain risks, like 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Hematite, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore normal function. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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 slowly, 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Hematite, 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 session, 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 effects 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 Hematite, 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced flexibility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Hematite, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
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 surgery 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 calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — With all the above 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 returning to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Hematite, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Hematite, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Hematite

Manual Physical Therapy in Hematite, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Hematite, 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 Hematite, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.