Manual Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

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

Manual physical therapy in St. Genevieve, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our St. Genevieve, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in St. Genevieve, 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 St. Genevieve, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest you to find meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

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 over 2,000 years ago. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes 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, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or alongside other treatments, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists exclusively utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy St. Genevieve, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near St. Genevieve

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in St. Genevieve, 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults deal with at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in St. Genevieve, MO who sustain sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat 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 impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in relieving 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 limited mobility, reach out to an Axes St. Genevieve, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ St. Genevieve, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in St. Genevieve, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying 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 mobility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be done using various techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist administering pressure and elongates the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for 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 in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and reduce 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 most commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, 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 protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your St. Genevieve, 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 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 stretch 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 works by applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 part of your muscle 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, 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 get back to activities they enjoy.
Enhanced range of motion — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help St. Genevieve, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help boost 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 recovering from an operation or other medical 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 soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients may experience 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 St. Genevieve, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy St. Genevieve, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near St. Genevieve

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

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in St. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven 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.