Manual Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Maplewood, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Maplewood, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Maplewood, 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 Maplewood, MO that are keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.
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 has been used for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. 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 numerous different 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.
The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other techniques, such as guided exercise. 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 Maplewood, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Maplewood, 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults deal with at some point in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Maplewood, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game 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 can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
- 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 help treat. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Maplewood, 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 form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Maplewood, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Maplewood, MO may use, 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 range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be accomplished using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often 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 therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. 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 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry 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 band or sheet of 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 restore normal function. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
During a myofascial release 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 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific 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 Maplewood, 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO Can Help You
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased range of motion — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging 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 great for patients recovering from an operation 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, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can 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 Maplewood, 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 Maplewood, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Maplewood, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Maplewood, 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.
