Manual Physical Therapy in Washington, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in Washington, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have sustained injury or illness. At Axes, our Washington, 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 such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Washington, 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 suffering pain or mobility issues in Washington, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

Manual Physical Therapy Defined

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 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is 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 kinds of therapy, 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 therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Washington, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that have been proven to work.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Washington, 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 U.S. adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an acute injury.
• Sports injuries — Washington, MO athletes who experience sports injuries such as 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 used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular 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 provide lasting relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes Washington, MO physical therapist to find out 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 with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Washington, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization involves administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. 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 circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently 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 guides the joint through slow motions within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by gently 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 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 an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and limit pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by 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 important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professional, 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 serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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 lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue 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 Washington, 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 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 Washington, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

• Reduced 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.
• Enhanced mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• 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 speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly advantageous for patients who recently had 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 tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can improve your overall quality of life. Patients can 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 Washington, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Manual Physical Therapy in Washington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and safe treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Washington, 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 Washington, 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 online or call the location nearest you.