Manual Physical Therapy in Union, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing
Manual physical therapy in Union, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Union, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Union, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Union, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location most convenient for you to find lasting relief.
What Is Manual Physical Therapy?
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 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. 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.
Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients get back to the activities they love most through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in concert with other techniques, such as guided exercise. 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 by itself. At Axes, our Union, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Union, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range 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 almost 9 out of 10 American adults experience at some stage in their lifetime.
- Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
- Sports injuries — Union, MO athletes who suffer from 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 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 flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in localized 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 lack of motion, speak to an Axes Union, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your physician to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Axes’ Union, MO Physical Therapists Utilize
There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Union, 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, including 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 done using numerous different 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 soft tissues in a particular 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 combined with other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and limit pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.
Joint Mobilization
Joint manipulation is on the other side of the spectrum, and is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people 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 performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with certain risks, like 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 thin, tough, and elastic 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 release tension and restore normal function. 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 elongate and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Union, 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 session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. 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 enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Union, MO
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 can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
- Increased flexibility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help Union, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
- 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 muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
- Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
- Better 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 stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the things they enjoy the most.
Other services we offer in Union, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- 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
Manual Physical Therapy in Union, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Union, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Union, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.
