Manual Physical Therapy in Liguori, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Liguori, 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 Liguori, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most 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 Liguori, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Liguori, MO that’s preventing you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or reach out to the location most convenient for 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 has been utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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 a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or in concert with other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Liguori, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Liguori, 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 American adults experience at some stage in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Liguori, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve range of motion, 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 effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or lack of motion, speak to an Axes Liguori, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Our Liguori, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Liguori, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. 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 elongates the muscles, tendons, and ligaments 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 best when combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to regain 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 on the other side of the spectrum, and 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 regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can come with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.
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 muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. 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 your 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 boost the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Liguori, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue that is affecting you. 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Liguori, 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Enhanced mobility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help Liguori, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve 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 lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly great for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
- Better quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they love.
Other services we offer in Liguori, 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 Liguori, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Liguori, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Liguori, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.
