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

Manual physical therapy in Josephville, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Josephville, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Josephville, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’re suffering an illness or injury in Josephville, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

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 400 BCE. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area 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. 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 blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in combination with other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Josephville, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Josephville, 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 up to 84%of U.S. adults suffer from at some juncture in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Josephville, MO who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative condition that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• 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 relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, consult with an Axes Josephville, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. 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 in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Josephville, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using various techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 best when used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The aim of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients 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 medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be associated with certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Josephville, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore 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 TMJ.

During your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension 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 enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Josephville, 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 trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, 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 your particular sessions, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Josephville, 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 have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
• Increased mobility — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve 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.
• 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 find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Josephville, 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 Josephville, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Josephville, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Josephville, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most 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.