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

Manual Physical Therapy in Paulina Hills, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Paulina Hills, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Paulina Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Paulina 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 pain or mobility issues in Paulina Hills, MO that are keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Paulina Hills, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Paulina 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 American adults suffer from at some point in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Paulina Hills, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker with the help of 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 can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading 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 some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or lack of motion, consult with an Axes Paulina Hills, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Paulina Hills, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Paulina Hills, MO may use, for example:

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 relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved using various techniques such as massage, 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 specific manner to break up adhesions, 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 therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by passively 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 popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to 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 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 be associated 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your Paulina Hills, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore 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 body parts where there is restriction 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 boost the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Paulina Hills, 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 enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Paulina Hills, MO

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

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased mobility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Paulina Hills, 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, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive 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 tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
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 can 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 enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Paulina Hills, MO include:

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

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

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Paulina 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Paulina Hills, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Paulina Hills, MO