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

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

Manual physical therapy in Potosi, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Potosi, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Potosi, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re experiencing an illness or injury in Potosi, MO that’s keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location most convenient for you to find lasting relief.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 ailments. Also called 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in concert with other techniques, 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 treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Potosi, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Potosi, 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 up to 84%of American adults experience at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Potosi, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, 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 some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, reach out to an Axes Potosi, 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 doctor to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Potosi, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Potosi, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying 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 flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. 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 applies pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often 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 slow motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce 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 limited range of motion 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 that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients 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 carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it does carry certain risks, like 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 Potosi, 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 often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is restriction 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 further the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Potosi, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Potosi, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help Potosi, MO resident 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 body part.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially great 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.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved 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 may find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.

Other services we offer in Potosi, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Potosi, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Potosi, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Potosi, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed 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.