Manual Physical Therapy in Old Jamestown, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Old Jamestown, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Old Jamestown, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Old Jamestown, 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 Old Jamestown, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to find lasting relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

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 utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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 tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates 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 Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Old Jamestown, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety 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 point in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Old Jamestown, 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 caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in certain 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 help treat. If you are suffering from pain or lack of motion, reach out to an Axes Old Jamestown, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. 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 with techniques that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Old Jamestown, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Old Jamestown, MO may recommend for your treatment, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying 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 achieved using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. 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 treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. 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 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 joint mobility and reduce 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 in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by a physical therapist, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the effects 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 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 Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During your trigger point therapy session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle that is affecting you. 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular case, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Old Jamestown, MO Can Help You

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

• Reduced 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased flexibility — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
• 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 recovering from surgery or other medical 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 calming experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can experience 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 Old Jamestown, 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 Old Jamestown, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Old Jamestown, 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Old Jamestown, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.