Manual Physical Therapy in Saint Paul, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Saint Paul, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Saint Paul, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location most convenient for 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 400 BCE. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area 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, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The goal of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or alongside 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, is more effective than either treatment plan used on its own. At Axes, our Saint Paul, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Saint Paul, 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 juncture in their lives.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Saint Paul, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
• 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 great at relieving 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 lack of motion, consult with an Axes Saint Paul, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. 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 Saint Paul, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Saint Paul, 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 aim of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done 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 stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 often used alongside 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 controlled motions along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking 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 objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by 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 been trained for it, as it can come with certain risks, such as 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. 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 can be part of a treatment plan for a wide variety of injuries and 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 areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 works by applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Saint Paul, 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 session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your short tissue 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular sessions, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Saint Paul, MO Can Help You

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

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients 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 region.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, because 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 experience less anxiety, 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 Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Saint Paul, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Saint Paul, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.