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

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

Manual physical therapy in St. George, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty 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 St. George, 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. George, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in St. George, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to find meaningful relief.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

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 utilized 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 numerous different 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 seeks to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or alongside other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our St. George, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in St. George, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different 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 American adults experience at some stage in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
Sports injuries — St. George, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the field quicker through 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 can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are suffering from pain or lack of motion, speak to an Axes St. George, 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 return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ St. George, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in St. George, MO may recommend for your treatment, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be achieved using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, 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 used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively 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 popping 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 aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be done by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it does carry certain risks, like injury or making the current injury worse.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. With myofascial release, your St. George, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost 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 giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by St. George, 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. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in St. George, 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 while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience 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 patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
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 beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other medical procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by releasing tension in the soft tissue that support the spine and other joints.
Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can 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 St. George, MO include:

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

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

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in St. George, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping St. George, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or reach out to the location nearest you.