Manual Physical Therapy in Kinloch, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Kinloch, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Kinloch, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back 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 Kinloch, 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 Kinloch, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest 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 utilized for millennium to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or alongside 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 independently. At Axes, our Kinloch, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Kinloch, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. 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 — Kinloch, MO athletes who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat 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 issues in your joints, improve flexibility, 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 specific 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 examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, consult with an Axes Kinloch, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to any of our locations 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 – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Kinloch, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Kinloch, MO may use, for example:

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 alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and elongates 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 combined with other therapies 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 along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by gently 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 is on the other side of the spectrum, and 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 joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by qualified healthcare professional, as it does carry certain risks, such as 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Kinloch, 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body 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 boost the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Kinloch, 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 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 your particular case, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Kinloch, MO

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

• Decreased 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.
• Increased range of motion — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like 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 quicker. This can be particularly great for patients recovering from surgery 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 calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, 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 love.

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

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Kinloch, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Kinloch, MO residents get back 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 call the location most convenient to you.