Manual Physical Therapy in Marthasville, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Marthasville, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Marthasville, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Marthasville, 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 Marthasville, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest 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 ailments. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.
Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Marthasville, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Marthasville, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Marthasville, 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 the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder 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 examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes Marthasville, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Marthasville, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Marthasville, MO may recommend for your treatment, 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 flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering 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 help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The goal of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion 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 that involves a quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can come with certain risks, such as 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Marthasville, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore 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 a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension 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 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 giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Marthasville, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, and it’s 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 your particular case, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Marthasville, MO
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Increased flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Reduced stress — 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 improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may experience less stress, 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 Marthasville, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- 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
Manual Physical Therapy in Marthasville, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Marthasville, 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 Marthasville, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.
