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

Manual physical therapy in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the activities they love by using proven treatment methodologies. One such treatment method is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO that are preventing you from the activities you love most, contact Axes through our website or reach out to 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 400 BCE. Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the practice 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 structures. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, back and neck pain, 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 alongside other treatments, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more successful than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in Woodson Terrace, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different 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 stage in their lives.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which can be caused by poor posture, anxiety, or an accident.
• Sports injuries — Physically active people in Woodson Terrace, MO who experience sports injuries including sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to peak performance quicker with the help of manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat 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 issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and impede the disease from spreading further.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
• 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 provide lasting relief for. If you are experiencing pain or limited mobility, reach out to an Axes Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapist to discuss 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 form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you enjoy doing most – safely and effectively.

Manual Techniques Axes’ Woodson Terrace, MO Physical Therapists Use

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

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 objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote healing by encouraging the flow of blood. This can be accomplished using various techniques including massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and elongates 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 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 therapies to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a light technique in which the therapist guides the joint through controlled motions along its natural path. The goal of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and offer pain relief by gently 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 popping sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The aim of joint manipulation is to restore joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any restrictions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for people who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be performed by medical professional who has been trained for it, as it can be associated with 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 connective tissue made up of collagen and elastin fibers that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. With myofascial release, your Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to let go of tension and restore 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 your 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 gradually, allowing the fascia to stretch 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 is a technique that involves applying pressure to certain points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release painful knots in the muscles. It’s often used by Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapists to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During a 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. 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 some cases, your physical therapist may recommend trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in Woodson Terrace, MO

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

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help to relieve pain and discomfort caused by injuries and chronic conditions. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Enhanced flexibility — By regaining optimal movement health, manual physical therapy can help Woodson Terrace, MO resident move more easily. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be particularly beneficial for patients who recently had 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.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a relaxing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
• Better quality of life — By decreasing pain and restoring mobility, 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 things they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Woodson Terrace, 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 focus on giving our patients positive client experiences by helping Woodson Terrace, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.