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

Manual Physical Therapy in Womack, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Womack, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to treat physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. At Axes, our Womack, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Womack, 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 experiencing an illness or injury in Womack, MO that’s keeping you from the things you love most, contact Axes through our website or call the location most convenient for you to find meaningful relief.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated 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 centuries to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the realm of physical therapy. It’s a treatment methodology that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. This approach can be used to address a wide range of conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, muscle spasms, and more. It can help to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

The objective of manual physical therapy is to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-surgical interventions that can be used by themselves or in combination with other types of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other treatments, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Womack, MO physical therapists exclusively prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

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

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Womack, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range 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 up to 84%of American adults experience at some juncture in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients with neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Physically active people in Womack, MO 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 condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce limited joint movement, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular 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 provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, speak to an Axes Womack, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy can help you find relief. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll work in concert with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Womack, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of applying pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be achieved using various 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 soft tissues in a particular manner to break up scar tissue, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to help conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and limit pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and there typically isn’t any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and relieve pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is 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 qualified healthcare professional, as it can be associated with certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a kind of physical therapy treatment that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that surrounds and supports out internal organs and structures. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to elongate 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Womack, 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 goes on, 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 advise trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Womack, MO Can Help You

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Reduced pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
Enhanced range of motion — By restoring normal function, manual physical therapy can help people move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost 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 make your recovery quicker. This can be particularly beneficial for patients who recently had an operation or other invasive 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.
Reduced stress — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, because it releases endorphins, which naturally help you feel better.
Improved quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Womack, MO include:

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

Manual Physical Therapy in Womack, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Womack, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Womack, MO residents return to what they enjoy the most 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.