Manual Physical Therapy in New Melle, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in New Melle, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our New Melle, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love 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 New Melle, 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 pain or mobility issues in New Melle, MO that are preventing you from the things you love most, 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 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 affected body parts and surrounding structures. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or alongside other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our New Melle, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in New Melle, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Below are some of the most common:
- 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 stage in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Those who play sports in New Melle, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from progressing 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 relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes New Melle, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ New Melle, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in New Melle, MO may use, including:
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 aim 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 including 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 particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 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 guides the joint through slow movements along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible popping 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 objective of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce 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, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry 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 surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your New Melle, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal movement. 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 areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue 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 Melle, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in New Melle, MO
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced flexibility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other medical procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better quality of life — With all the previous 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 being able to get back to the activities they love.
Other services we offer in New Melle, 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 New Melle, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in New Melle, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping New Melle, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.
