Manual Physical Therapy in Sunset Hills, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Sunset Hills, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Sunset Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO that’s keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or get in touch with the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.
Manual Physical Therapy Defined
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 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 affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The aim of manual physical therapy is to help patients return to the activities they love most through non-invasive techniques that can be used alone 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 effective than either treatment plan used by itself. At Axes, our Sunset Hills, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Sunset Hills, 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 up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some point in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
- Sports injuries — Physically active people in Sunset Hills, MO who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance 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 can be used 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 treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Sunset Hills, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Sunset Hills, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Sunset Hills, MO may use, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be done using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently 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 there typically isn’t 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 a sudden 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 adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by qualified healthcare professional, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, such as 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs throughout the body. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain normal function. 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 a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts 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 boost the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Sunset Hills, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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. The pressure is applied slowly and sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Sunset Hills, 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 can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Enhanced mobility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
- Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can make your recovery faster. This can be especially advantageous for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Sunset Hills, MO include:
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Manual Physical Therapy in Sunset Hills, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Sunset Hills, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Sunset Hills, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location most convenient to you.
