Manual Physical Therapy in Labadie, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Labadie, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Labadie, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love 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 Labadie, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Labadie, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help 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-invasive treatments 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, typically gets better results than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Labadie, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Labadie, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults deal with at some stage 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, anxiety, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Labadie, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in 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 causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in 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, reach out to an Axes Labadie, 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 work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Labadie, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Labadie, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting 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 flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be achieved 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 applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow motions along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. 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, on the other hand, 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 restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is most 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 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 manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Labadie, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore normal function. 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 a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 works by applying pressure to particular 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 Labadie, 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Labadie, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Reduced 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased mobility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- 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 faster. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
- Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
- Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may 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 enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Labadie, MO include:
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
Manual Physical Therapy in Labadie, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Labadie, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Labadie, MO residents return to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.
