Manual Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO: A Hands-On Treatment

Manual physical therapy in Weingarten, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, stretching, and other techniques, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our Weingarten, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities 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 Weingarten, 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 experiencing pain or mobility issues in Weingarten, MO that are preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

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 has been utilized for millennium to treat a variety of ailments. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, sports injuries, 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 achieve optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. 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 by itself. At Axes, our Weingarten, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Weingarten, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Weingarten

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Weingarten, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults deal with at some point in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Weingarten, MO who sustain 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 disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve range of motion, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by wide-ranging 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 suffering from pain or tenderness, consult with an Axes Weingarten, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. 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 enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Our Weingarten, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be accomplished 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 administering pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is frequently used to aid conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when combined with other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint within its natural range of motion. The goal of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing 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 a sudden and controlled force to the joint. The objective 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 can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients 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 a physical therapist, as it can come with 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 thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. With myofascial release, your Weingarten, MO physical therapist applies 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During your session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen 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 works by applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue 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 Weingarten, MO physical therapists to treat a variety 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 short tissue 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 enhance the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased flexibility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by encouraging 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 great 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 soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — By decreasing pain and improving 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 Weingarten, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Weingarten, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Weingarten

Manual Physical Therapy in Weingarten, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Weingarten, 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 Weingarten, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy could be a part of your treatment plan, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.