Mobility in Champ, MO. Our bodies are designed to move. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that impedes us from doing what we love most. While that loss of physical mobility affects us in more ways than just physically, Axes Physical Therapy in Champ, MO can provide you with treatment plans that have been proven to be successful and that are customized specifically to getting you back to the life you want to live. No matter if your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a disease, or a musculoskeletal condition such as sciatica, take the first steps in your best possible movement health and comfort as soon as possible by scheduling a mobility and injury analysis with Axes today or calling the the one of our multiple locations nearest you.

The dictionary defines mobility as, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some Champ, MO residents that may mean getting in and out of a chair comfortably, while others need to get back to making a diving catch in their softball league. Whatever it means to you, if can’t complete the activities you want to speak with your doctor about professional physical therapy services.

Functional Mobility in Champ, MO

Functional mobility is the capacity one has to safely move around in their home environment. This can be anything from moving around in bed or carrying a cup of coffee to the living room and sitting down. Fundamentally, functional mobility can be broken down into three categories:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed with ease.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to move from one place to another, for example from one chair to another.
3. Ambulation — Your ability to walk freely without the need of assistance. This also includes walking while being able to carry objects.

If you cannot currently complete some or all of the activities above without the aid of a person or assistive device, the Champ, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to getting your self-sufficiency back. Whether the condition affecting you is an ACL tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a a progressive disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll guide you through your journey to the best possible movement health. Part of your treatment will likely be simple and safe strengthening, balance, and flexibility training. Our therapists are also highly trained in vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

The seven level Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is the staple of how to evaluate functional mobility in Champ, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can achieve specific mobility thresholds without assistance and in a relatively normal amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform specific movements but only with a walker, a cane, or crutches
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can complete the task by yourself but need someone next to you to prevent risk of injury
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can do 75% or more while a physical therapist does the rest
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can exert half of the effort required
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can complete about 25% of the task independently
7. Total assistance or not testable, meaning you can complete less than 25% of the task, or that even testing whether or not you can do it carries the risk of injury

At Axes Physical Therapy in Champ, MO, your personalized treatment plan may include safely allowing you more and more independence until you get the highest level you can. All of our treatment plans are proven to be safe and effective through extensive clinical studies, and at your first appointment with your professional physical therapist, they will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your health to confirm that the treatment modalities we have in mind for you are safe for someone suffering from the same ailment you are.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Champ, MO

Obviously, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just being to move between furniture pain-free. There are doubles to hit in your softball league, fun activities to share with your family, and the physical demands of the job you perform every day in order to earn a living for your Champ, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any athlete, worker, or family member improve mobility they need to get back to the activities they love. Our services also include:

• Occupational therapy — Our Champ, MO occupational therapists are an essential part of getting you back to work after a work-related injury. We team up with you and your physician, insurance carrier, attorney and employer so you can get back to helping our Champ, MO community and supporting your family as you always have. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine if you can safely go back to work either fully or in some capacity.
• Sports therapy — Every athletes worst nightmare is a sudden pop or crack that sidelines them and keeps them from what they love for weeks, months, or longer. If you suffer an ACL tear, rotator cuff tear, or other sports injury, Axes Physical Therapy in Champ, MO will help you regain your mobility and get you back on the field or court as soon as is safely possible. Our Certified Athletic Trainers also specialize in injury prevention to help you avoid re-injury.
• Pre/post surgical rehabilitation — Surgery makes anyone anxious. Whether your surgery is elective or medically necessary, we’ll work with your physician and surgeons to form a complete surgical team to help you feel confident in your treatment, and formulate an effective game plan to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and the level of improved mobility you desire, consult with your Champ, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is a good option for you, or come see us for a complimentary injury screening from a clinically experienced physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Champ, MO Can Help Improve Your Mobility

The four determinants of mobility are our strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance:

• Strength — While physical therapy is effective at rebuilding and maintaining strength, it also ensures that no muscle is disproportionately strong or weak. Having proportionately strong muscles around joints is crucial in preventing injury and improving your mobility.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To improve our mobility to the highest level we can, not only do our muscles need to have the strength to control bones, but our muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue need to be able to lengthen, and our joints need to be able to perform a wide variety of movements.
• Balance — Balance issues are commonly caused by:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular disorder, or something in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the sense of awareness ingrained in our muscles and joints

An experienced physical therapist in Champ, MO will find the root of your mobility issues and develop a treatment plan, based on evidence to improve your movement health. Beyond restorative strength, flexibility, and core exercises, other evidence-backed techniques may include:

• Soft tissue mobilization
• Kinesio Taping®
• Trigger point dry needling
• Blood flow restriction training
• Posture correction and teaching good posture

If required, a physical therapist in Champ, MO can also fit you for medically accepted assistive devices such as splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to aid you in your mobility and reduce risk of injury.

How Physical Therapy in Champ, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase strength and flexibility. As we work to improve your movement health, you’ll also see the following benefits:

• Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions without needing to depend on prescription medications
• In some cases, the opportunity to avoid a surgical procedure by stimulating the body’s natural way of healing itself
• Movement health education, including exercises you can safely do at home, what you can do to prevent injuries, and correct posture
• Motivating better physical health, which leads to increased energy, decreases your odds of developing cardiovascular disease, helps control weight, makes you feel better, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

Other services we offer in Champ, MO include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Mobility in Champ, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to open jars, are looking for meaningful pain management for sciatica, or want to return to your active lifestyle following acute trauma, Axes’ team of licensed physical and occupational therapists is here to help you get back to the activities you love. We practice a client-centered approach. To get back your independence and active lifestyle, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or reach out to the location that works best for you.