Manual Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Manchester, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Manchester, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Manchester, MO 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 experiencing pain or mobility issues in Manchester, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.
What Is Manual Physical Therapy?
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 called 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 affected body parts and surrounding structures. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or alongside 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, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Manchester, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Manchester, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some juncture in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Manchester, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, 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 specific areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at 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 suffering from pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Manchester, MO 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 physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Manchester, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Manchester, MO may recommend for your treatment, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be accomplished using numerous different techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a particular 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 combined with other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish 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 there typically isn’t 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 in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.
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 protect 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 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 gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to stretch 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 works by 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 Manchester, MO 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 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. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Increased mobility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging blood flow to the region.
- 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 invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Manchester, 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 Manchester, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Manchester, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Manchester, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven 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.
