Manual Physical Therapy in Town and Country, MO: A Hands-On Treatment
Manual physical therapy in Town and Country, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession 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 Town and Country, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Town and Country, 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 Town and Country, MO that are preventing 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 400 BCE. Also known as 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 affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy through non-surgical interventions that can be used alone or in combination with other forms of therapy, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Town and Country, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to work.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Town and Country, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of 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 U.S. adults deal with at some juncture in their lives.
- 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 — Town and Country, MO athletes who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative condition caused by the the protective tissue in joints wearing down over time. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, 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 specific areas of the body.
- Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at treating 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 suffering from pain or limited mobility, consult with an Axes Town and Country, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is right for you. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Town and Country, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Town and Country, MO may use, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization involves applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be done using numerous different techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the soft tissues in a specific manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often combined with other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist guides the joint through slow movements along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. 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 popping sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a recognizable popping or cracking sound, which is the rsult of 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 needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it can come with 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 band or sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. With myofascial release, your Town and Country, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain 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 your 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 elongate 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 works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Town and Country, 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 muscle that is affecting you. 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 suggest trigger point dry needling.
How Manual Physical Therapy in Town and Country, MO Can Help You
There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Increased range of motion — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Town and Country, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also decrease the risk of falls and other accidents.
- Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost 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 lead to a shorter recovery time. This can be particularly great for patients who recently had surgery or other invasive procedures.
- Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
- Reduced anxiety — Manual therapy can be a calming 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 may experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Town and Country, 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 Town and Country, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Town and Country, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints 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 Town and Country, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.
