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

Manual Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Mackenzie, 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 Mackenzie, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients 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 Mackenzie, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Mackenzie, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

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 dates back to 400 BCE. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area 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. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as guided exercise. 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 Mackenzie, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Mackenzie, 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 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Mackenzie, MO athletes who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition 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 treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, reach out to an Axes Mackenzie, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Mackenzie, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Mackenzie, 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, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be achieved using various techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The aim of joint mobilization is to restore 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 stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it can be accompanied by 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 serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Mackenzie, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal function. 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 restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further the effects 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 tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Mackenzie, 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 part of your short tissue that is affecting you. The pressure is applied slowly 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, MO Can Help You

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

Decreased 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 flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like 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 speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly advantageous for patients recovering from surgery or other medical 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 soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Mackenzie, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Mackenzie, 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 Mackenzie, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.