Manual Physical Therapy in Ranken, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Ranken, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Ranken, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Ranken, 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 experiencing pain or mobility issues in Ranken, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to find meaningful 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 dates back to 400 BCE. Also called hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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. This approach can be used to address a wide range of 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 endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other techniques, 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 treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Ranken, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Ranken, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of U.S. adults suffer from at some juncture in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Ranken, MO athletes who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury 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 slow the progression of the disease.
- 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 treating 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 limited mobility, consult with an Axes Ranken, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Ranken, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Ranken, MO may recommend for your treatment, 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 aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using numerous different 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 soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 moderate technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve 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 limited range of motion 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 quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique 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 Ranken, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain normal function. 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 mild to moderate, 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 enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Ranken, 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 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. In your particular sessions, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Ranken, 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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Enhanced mobility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected area.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery quicker. This can be particularly great for patients recovering from surgery or other medical procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may find relief because of less anxiety, 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 Ranken, 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 Ranken, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Ranken, 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 surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Ranken, 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.
