Manual Physical Therapy in South County, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in South County, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in South County, 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 South County, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in South County, 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 South County, MO that are preventing you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 millennium 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 treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding structures. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or alongside other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our South County, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that have been proven to work.

Manual Physical Therapy South County, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near South County

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in South County, 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults deal with at some stage in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in South County, MO who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve range of motion, 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 relieving 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 experiencing pain or lack of motion, consult with an Axes South County, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our South County, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in South County, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out 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 exerts pressure and smooths out 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 treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing 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 restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce a recognizable popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has experience with it, as it does carry 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 protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your South County, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore normal movement. 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 areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by South County, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range 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 trigger point. 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in South County, MO

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

Reduced 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.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help South County, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance 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 particularly advantageous 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.
Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, 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 love.

Other services we offer in South County, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy South County, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near South County

Manual Physical Therapy in South County, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in South County, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping South County, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location most convenient to you.