Manual Physical Therapy in New Haven, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in New Haven, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our New Haven, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in New Haven, 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 an illness or injury in New Haven, MO that’s keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to 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 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 in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help 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 goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in concert with other types of therapy, 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 successful than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our New Haven, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in New Haven, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some stage in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in New Haven, MO 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 help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve range of motion, and impede the disease from spreading further.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving 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 suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes New Haven, MO physical therapist to find out 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 physician to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ New Haven, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in New Haven, MO may use, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve 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 limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible popping sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective 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 due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can come with certain risks, like 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers 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 restore normal movement. 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension 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 further the effects 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 objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by New Haven, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in New Haven, MO
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Decreased 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.
- Increased range of motion — By restoring movement and function to the body, 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 boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. 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 stress — Manual therapy can be a relaxing 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 may find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in New Haven, 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 New Haven, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in New Haven, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal health and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping New Haven, 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 through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.
