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

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

Manual physical therapy in Osage Hills, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Osage Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to find meaningful relief.

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 utilized for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in concert with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Osage Hills, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Osage Hills, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Osage Hills

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Osage Hills, 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 up to 84%of U.S. adults suffer from at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Osage Hills, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Osage Hills, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Osage Hills, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Osage Hills, MO may recommend for your treatment, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow motions within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking 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 aim of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible 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, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be done 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Osage Hills, 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 gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction 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 boost the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Osage Hills, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 short tissue that is affecting you. 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 enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Osage Hills, MO

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

Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced flexibility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. 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 affected area.
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 great for patients recovering from an operation 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 anxiety — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Osage Hills, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Osage Hills, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Osage Hills

Manual Physical Therapy in Osage Hills, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Osage Hills, MO