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

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

Manual physical therapy in Imperial, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Imperial, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities 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 Imperial, 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 experiencing pain or mobility issues in Imperial, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, 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 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 has been used for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. 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 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, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert 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, is more effective than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Imperial, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Imperial, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Imperial, MO who experience 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 that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Imperial, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Imperial, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. 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 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 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 goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited 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 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 gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction 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 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 tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Imperial, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 slowly and sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular sessions, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Imperial, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Imperial, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the region.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly advantageous for patients recovering from an operation or other medical procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. 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 Imperial, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Imperial, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Imperial, 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 Imperial, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.