Manual Physical Therapy in St. Charles, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most 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 St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes online or call the location nearest 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 referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology 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 a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or alongside other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our St. Charles, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in St. Charles, 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some stage in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in St. Charles, MO who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition that stems from the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular 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 experiencing pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes St. Charles, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to any of our locations 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 – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our St. Charles, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in St. Charles, 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 alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by breaking down 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 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 commonly 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 achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. 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, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry certain risks, like 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 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 let go of tension and restore 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 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 lengthen 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 works by applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by St. Charles, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range 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. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, 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 benefits of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in St. Charles, 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
• Increased flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help St. Charles, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other accidents.
• Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected area.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly advantageous for patients recovering from an operation or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Better quality of life — With all the previous 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 things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in St. Charles, MO include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Manual Physical Therapy in St. Charles, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, MO residents return to the activities they love 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.