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

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

Manual physical therapy in Wentzville, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise 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 Wentzville, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO that are preventing you from the activities you love most, contact Axes online or call the location most convenient for you to find lasting 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 dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding structures. This approach can be used to address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, 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-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in concert with other types of therapy, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our Wentzville, MO physical therapists only use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Wentzville, 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 American adults experience at some stage in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Wentzville, MO athletes who suffer from sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease that stems from the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder 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 effective in 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 limited mobility, speak to an Axes Wentzville, MO physical therapist to discover 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 work alongside with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you enjoy doing most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Wentzville, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

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 alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be achieved 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 stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled movements within its natural range of motion. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently 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 it is usually performed without causing any audible popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. It is important to note that joint manipulation should only be carried out by medical professional who has experience with it, as it does carry certain risks, such as injury or making the current injury worse.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Wentzville, 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 can be part of a treatment plan for a wide variety of injuries and conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, 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 further the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Wentzville, 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 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 sessions, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Wentzville, MO

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

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced flexibility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved circulation — Some manual therapy techniques, for instance soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can make your recovery faster. This can be particularly great for patients recovering from surgery or other invasive 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 relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
Better quality of life — By reducing pain and improving mobility, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in Wentzville, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Wentzville, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Wentzville, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Wentzville, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To see if manual physical therapy may be right for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.