Manual Physical Therapy in Portage Des Sioux, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Portage Des Sioux, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Portage Des Sioux, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Portage Des Sioux, 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location nearest you to find lasting relief.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 millennium to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also referred to 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 tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, 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 enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or alongside other forms of therapy, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Portage Des Sioux, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Portage Des Sioux, 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 can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
- Sports injuries — Portage Des Sioux, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game 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 can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
- 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 great at 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 experiencing pain or limited mobility, consult with an Axes Portage Des Sioux, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work alongside with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most in ways that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Our Portage Des Sioux, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Portage Des Sioux, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and limit 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 a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by qualified healthcare professional, 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 serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore normal function. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of 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 gradually, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the effects 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 tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Portage Des Sioux, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range 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. 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Portage Des Sioux, 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced flexibility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help people perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve 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 speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly beneficial 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 anxiety — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Portage Des Sioux, 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Portage Des Sioux, 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 Portage Des Sioux, 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 online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.
