Manual Physical Therapy in Lake Tekawitha, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

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

Manual physical therapy in Lake Tekawitha, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Lake Tekawitha, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Lake Tekawitha, 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 an illness or injury in Lake Tekawitha, MO that’s 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.

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 realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology 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, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It can help 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 in concert with other types of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Lake Tekawitha, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

Manual Physical Therapy Lake Tekawitha, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Lake Tekawitha

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Lake Tekawitha, 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 American adults experience at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Lake Tekawitha, MO who sustain 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 condition that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Lake Tekawitha, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Lake Tekawitha, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

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

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid 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 guides the joint through slow movements within its natural range of motion. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to 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 needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by qualified healthcare professional, as it can come with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.

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 Lake Tekawitha, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain 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 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 enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Lake Tekawitha, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. The pressure is applied gradually and sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Lake Tekawitha, MO Can Help You

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

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased range of motion — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance 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 speed up the recovery process. 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.
Better quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. 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 love.

Other services we offer in Lake Tekawitha, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Lake Tekawitha, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Lake Tekawitha

Manual Physical Therapy in Lake Tekawitha, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Lake Tekawitha, 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 Lake Tekawitha, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.