Manual Physical Therapy in Horine, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Horine, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Horine, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Horine, 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 Horine, MO that are preventing you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or call 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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also known 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 affected body parts and surrounding structures. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. 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 Horine, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Horine, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults suffer from at some stage in their lifetime.
- 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 — Horine, MO athletes who sustain 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 mobility, 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 effective in 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 tenderness, reach out to an Axes Horine, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Horine, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Horine, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies 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 frequently used to aid 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve 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 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 adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible 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, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed 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 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 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 your 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 lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by 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 tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Horine, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range 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 trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, and it’s 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 some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Horine, MO
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Increased flexibility — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. 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 area.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery quicker. This can be especially beneficial 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.
- Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Better quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Horine, 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 Horine, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Horine, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Horine, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.