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

Manual physical therapy in Scotsdale, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Scotsdale, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Scotsdale, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Scotsdale, MO that are keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or reach out to the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

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 has been used for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also called 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or alongside other techniques, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Scotsdale, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Scotsdale, 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 up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some juncture in their lives.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Scotsdale, MO who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker with the help of 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 can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve range of motion, 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 specific areas of the body.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness, consult with an Axes Scotsdale, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Scotsdale, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Scotsdale, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering 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 breaking down scar tissue. This can be done 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 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. 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 combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by gently 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 cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation is a cousin of joint manipulation, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

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 performed by qualified healthcare professional, as it does carry certain risks, like 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 Scotsdale, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 your 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 boost the effects 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 Scotsdale, 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 session, 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 gradually 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 effects of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Scotsdale, MO Can Help You

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased flexibility — By regaining movement and function to the body, 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 bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging 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 especially great for patients recovering from an operation or other invasive procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Scotsdale, 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 Scotsdale, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Scotsdale, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Scotsdale, MO residents return 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.