Manual Physical Therapy in Preston Woods, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Preston Woods, 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 Preston Woods, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Preston Woods, 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 Preston Woods, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location nearest you to find lasting relief.
What Is Manual Physical Therapy?
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 type of treatment 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 encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in concert with other forms of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Preston Woods, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Preston Woods, 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 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, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Preston Woods, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition 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 condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating 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 tenderness, reach out to an Axes Preston Woods, 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 get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Preston Woods, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Preston Woods, MO may recommend for your treatment, including:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. 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 applies pressure and elongates the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to aid 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently 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 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 an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is typically 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 carried out by a physical therapist, as it does carry certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to protect 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 regain normal movement. 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 body parts where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 certain points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Preston Woods, 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 appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle that is affecting you. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Preston Woods, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced mobility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Preston Woods, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
- 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 releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- Better quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may 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 Preston Woods, 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 Preston Woods, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Preston Woods, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Preston Woods, MO residents get back to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.
