Manual Physical Therapy in Innsbrook, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Innsbrook, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Innsbrook, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things 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 Innsbrook, 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 Innsbrook, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

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 called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other kinds of therapy, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Innsbrook, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Innsbrook, 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 U.S. adults experience 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, stress, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Innsbrook, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker with the help of 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 is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, consult with an Axes Innsbrook, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team 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 Innsbrook, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Innsbrook, MO may use, including:

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 aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done using numerous different 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 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 treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish 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 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, such as 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. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain 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 your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Innsbrook, 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. 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. In your particular case, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Innsbrook, MO

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

• Decreased 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 normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery quicker. 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 calming experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less stress, 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 Innsbrook, 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 Innsbrook, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Innsbrook, 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 Innsbrook, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.