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

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

Manual physical therapy in Winchester, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Winchester, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Winchester, 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 Winchester, MO that are keeping you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location most convenient for 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 referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm 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. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or alongside 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, is more effective than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Winchester, MO physical therapists exclusively use treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Winchester, 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 has been proven to relieve chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults deal with at some point in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury.
Sports injuries — Winchester, MO athletes who sustain sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker through manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy can be used to reduce limited joint movement, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or in multiple areas of the body.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, reach out to an Axes Winchester, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most with treatments that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Winchester, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Winchester, MO may use, such as:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be done using numerous different techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and smooths out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is often used alongside other therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies controlled movements to the joint within its natural range of movement. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing 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 in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to reestablish joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be done by a physical therapist, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, such as 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 serves to protect the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Winchester, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore normal function. 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 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 slowly, allowing the fascia to lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to boost the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to specific points in soft tissue that are tender or painful. The aim of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Winchester, 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 session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle that is affecting you. The pressure is applied slowly and 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 sessions, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Winchester, MO

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased mobility — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected body part.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can help improve posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a tranquil experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can experience less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Winchester, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Winchester, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and safe approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Winchester, 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 Winchester, MO residents get back to the activities they love with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location most convenient to you.

Manual Physical Therapy Winchester, MO