Manual Physical Therapy in Windsor Springs, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care
Manual physical therapy in Windsor Springs, MO. Physical therapy is a medical specialty that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Windsor Springs, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities 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 Windsor Springs, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you’re suffering an illness or injury in Windsor Springs, MO that’s keeping 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?
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 practice of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.
The goal 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 combination with other techniques, such as guided exercise. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used independently. At Axes, our Windsor Springs, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that are backed by evidence.
What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Windsor Springs, MO
Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:
- Back pain — Manual physical therapy has been proven to relieve 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 — Physically active people in Windsor Springs, MO who experience sports injuries such as sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker with the help of manual therapy.
- Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition 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 widespread 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 a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Windsor Springs, MO physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your doctor to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.
Manual Techniques Our Windsor Springs, MO Physical Therapists Use
There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Windsor Springs, MO may recommend for your treatment, for example:
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The goal of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be accomplished using various techniques such as 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 blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to aid 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 recover quicker, safely, and effectively.
Joint Manipulation
Joint mobilization is a gentle technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by passively stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion 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 objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by readjust the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation often produces an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles within the joint.
Joint manipulation is most commonly used for patients 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 qualified healthcare professional, as it can be accompanied by 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. With myofascial release, your Windsor Springs, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and regain 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 TMJ.
During your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is restriction 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 boost 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 tender or painful. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Windsor Springs, 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 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 improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.
Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Windsor Springs, MO
Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:
- Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better during your treatment plan. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
- Enhanced flexibility — By restoring movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help patients move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
- 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 make your recovery faster. This can be especially great 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 tranquil experience, because 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 returning to the things they love.
Other services we offer in Windsor Springs, MO include:
- 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
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Manual Physical Therapy in Windsor Springs, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Windsor Springs, 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 invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Windsor Springs, 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 online or reach out to the location most convenient to you.
