Manual Physical Therapy in Spanish Lake, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

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

Manual physical therapy in Spanish Lake, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Spanish Lake, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love 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 Spanish Lake, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re experiencing an illness or injury in Spanish Lake, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you to get back to the life you want.

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 dates back to 400 BCE. 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. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients achieve optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Spanish Lake, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Spanish Lake, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Spanish Lake

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Spanish Lake, 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 almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults suffer from at some stage in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
Sports injuries — Spanish Lake, MO athletes who sustain 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 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 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 at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Spanish Lake, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Spanish Lake, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Spanish Lake, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to treat 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist utilized controlled movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible 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 needs to be realigned. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be performed by a physical therapist, as it does carry certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

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 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 TMJ.

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 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 certain 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 Spanish Lake, 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 appointment, 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. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Spanish Lake, 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 have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced range of motion — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Spanish Lake, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less stress, 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 Spanish Lake, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Spanish Lake, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Spanish Lake

Manual Physical Therapy in Spanish Lake, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Spanish Lake, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 Spanish Lake, MO residents get back 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 reach out to the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Spanish Lake, MO