Manual Physical Therapy in Oakville, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Oakville, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Oakville, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Oakville, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

The IFOMPT defines “manual therapy” as:

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 centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Also referred to as 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, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other kinds of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Oakville, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Oakville, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Oakville

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Oakville, 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 up to 84%of American adults experience at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Oakville, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve range of motion, 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 of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Oakville, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Oakville, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Oakville, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:

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 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 stretches the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid 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 passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions within its natural range of movement. The aim 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 a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can be associated 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Oakville, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body 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 effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to particular 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 Oakville, 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 short tissue that is affecting you. 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Oakville, MO Can Help You

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 can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Oakville, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
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 particularly beneficial for patients recovering from an operation or other medical 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.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less stress, 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 Oakville, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Oakville, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Oakville

Manual Physical Therapy in Oakville, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed 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 most convenient to you.