Manual Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Shrewsbury, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Shrewsbury, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most 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 Shrewsbury, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Shrewsbury, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find lasting relief.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 ailments. Also referred to 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 affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help 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-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other treatments, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Shrewsbury, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Shrewsbury, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety 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 deal with at some stage in their lives.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Shrewsbury, MO athletes who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy can be used 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 certain 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 tenderness, reach out to an Axes Shrewsbury, MO physical therapist to discuss 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 with techniques that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Shrewsbury, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Shrewsbury, MO may use, such as:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. 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 elongates the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by passively 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 goal of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, as it can come with certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that serves to cushion 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 release tension and regain normal movement. 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 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 stretch 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Shrewsbury, 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. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO Can Help You
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Reduced 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 flexibility — By regaining optimal movement health, 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 accidents.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
- 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 activities they love.
Other services we offer in Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Shrewsbury, 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 provide positive client experiences by helping Shrewsbury, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.
