Manual Physical Therapy in Hopewell, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Hopewell, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Hopewell, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Hopewell, 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 pain or mobility issues in Hopewell, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location nearest you to find meaningful relief.
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 dates back to 400 BCE. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Hopewell, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Hopewell, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Hopewell, MO who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- 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 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 limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Hopewell, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside 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 Our Hopewell, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Hopewell, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:
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 aim 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 exerts pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often 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 treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow motions within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish 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 limited range of motion 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 that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry 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 protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Hopewell, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 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 in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Hopewell, 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 trigger point. 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Hopewell, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased mobility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Hopewell, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially great for patients who recently had an operation 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 soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Hopewell, 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 Hopewell, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Hopewell, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Hopewell, MO residents get back 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 call the location nearest you.
