Manual Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Lake St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things 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 Lake St. Louis, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re suffering pain or mobility issues in Lake St. Louis, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to 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 has been used 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. 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 seeks to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Lake St. Louis, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of 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 up to 84%of U.S. adults suffer from 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, anxiety, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Lake St. Louis, MO who experience 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 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 limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Lake St. Louis, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

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

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies 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 frequently used to help 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim 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 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, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is commonly 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 carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with 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 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 regain normal movement. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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. 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 advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO

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

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased range of motion — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Lake St. Louis, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
• Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a soothing 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 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 Lake St. Louis, MO include:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• 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

Manual Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Lake St. Louis, 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Lake St. Louis, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.