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

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

Manual physical therapy in Leadwood, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Leadwood, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things 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 Leadwood, 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 Leadwood, MO that are preventing you from the activities you love most, 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 International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 over 2,000 years ago. Also called 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 a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, 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 regain optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or alongside other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Leadwood, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Leadwood, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Leadwood

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Leadwood, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults deal with at some stage in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Leadwood, MO who suffer from sports injuries including 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 disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. 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 wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular areas of the body.
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 experiencing pain or limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Leadwood, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. 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 Leadwood, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

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 relieve pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done 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 blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly 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 light technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements within its natural range of motion. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief 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, 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 objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it can come with certain risks, such as 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Leadwood, 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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 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 particular points within a muscle or fascia 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 Leadwood, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range 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. 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 case, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Leadwood, MO

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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Leadwood, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other medical 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 relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Leadwood, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Leadwood, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Leadwood

Manual Physical Therapy in Leadwood, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Leadwood, 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 Leadwood, 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 online or call the location nearest you.