Manual Physical Therapy in Wood River, IL | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Wood River, IL: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Wood River, IL. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring movement and function to patients who have suffered from injury or illness. At Axes, our Wood River, IL physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the activities they enjoy doing most by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Wood River, IL 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 an illness or injury in Wood River, IL that’s keeping you from living the life you want, 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 called 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 the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, 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 techniques that can be used by themselves or in combination with other techniques, such as guided exercise. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either treatment plan used independently. At Axes, our Wood River, IL physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that are backed by evidence.

Manual Physical Therapy Wood River, IL | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Wood River

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Wood River, IL

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 up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some juncture in their lifetime.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or injury.
Sports injuries — Wood River, IL athletes who suffer from sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back on the court 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 can be used to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by wide-ranging musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in particular 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 examples of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes Wood River, IL physical therapist to discover if manual physical therapy is suitable for your injury or condition. After you come to any of our locations for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Wood River, IL Physical Therapists Utilize

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Wood River, IL 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 aim of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by breaking down scar tissue. This can be done using various techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and smooths out 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 treat 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 light technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to restore joint mobility and reduce pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have stiffness 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 that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to restore a joint’s range of motion 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 commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that is out of alignment. You need to remember 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 manual therapy technique 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 the organs and instructions inside our bodies. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of 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 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 lengthen and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further 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 objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Wood River, IL physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During your trigger point therapy session, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. 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 improve the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In your particular treatment plan, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Wood River, IL

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

Decreased 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.
Increased mobility — By restoring optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Wood River, IL resident 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 area.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or other medical 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, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Improved quality of life — By reducing pain and restoring mobility, 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 returning to the things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Wood River, IL include:

Manual Physical Therapy Wood River, IL | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Wood River

Manual Physical Therapy in Wood River, IL | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to treating a wide range of conditions and injuries in Wood River, IL. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal health and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Wood River, IL residents get back to what they enjoy the most with proven treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Wood River, IL