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

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

Manual physical therapy in Hillsboro, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Hillsboro, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Hillsboro, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Hillsboro, MO that are keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or call 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 called 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 affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside other treatments, 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 on its own. At Axes, our Hillsboro, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Hillsboro, MO

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 can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults deal with at some stage in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Hillsboro, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, 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 effective in relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Hillsboro, MO physical therapist to discover 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 doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Hillsboro, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be achieved using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

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

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. 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 cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible 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 needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it can be associated with 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 surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Hillsboro, 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 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 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 benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia 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 Hillsboro, 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 part of your short tissue that is affecting you. The pressure is applied slowly 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, MO

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 have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced mobility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Hillsboro, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — 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 promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially advantageous for patients recovering from an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Hillsboro, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Hillsboro, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Hillsboro, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed 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.