Manual Physical Therapy in Madison, IL | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Madison, IL: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Madison, IL. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Madison, IL physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Madison, IL uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’re suffering pain or mobility issues in Madison, IL that are keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

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 dates back to 400 BCE. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve 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 types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Madison, IL physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Madison, IL | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Madison

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Madison, IL

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults suffer from at some juncture in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Madison, IL who suffer from sports injuries like 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 caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in specific areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving 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, consult with an Axes Madison, IL physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Madison, IL Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

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

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by qualified healthcare professional, as it can come with certain risks, like 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to lengthen 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 specific points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Madison, IL physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During your 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Madison, IL 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 have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced range of motion — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery 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.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. 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 Madison, IL include:

Manual Physical Therapy Madison, IL | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Madison

Manual Physical Therapy in Madison, IL | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Madison, IL. 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Madison, IL residents return to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.

Manual Physical Therapy Madison, IL