Mobility in Chesterfield, MO. Our bodies are designed to be on the go. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that keeps us from our favorite activities, or even just being able to carry out or daily live pain-free. While experiencing pain and other factors that affect mobility affects us in more ways than just physically, Axes Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO can provide you with safe, effective, and proven treatment plans that are customized specifically to you and your needs. Whether your mobility is limited because of acute trauma, a chronic condition, or a musculoskeletal condition such as sciatica, begin your journey to your best possible movement health and comfort as soon as possible by requesting a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the the one of our multiple locations most convenient for you.

The dictionary defines mobility as, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that may mean walking up the stairs comfortably, while others need to get back to sprinting down the basketball court on a fast break. Whatever it means to you, if can’t complete the activities you want to consult with your doctor about professional physical therapy and movement health services.

Functional Mobility in Chesterfield, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to safely get around their home. This can be anything from moving around in bed or walking up a flight of stairs. In general, functional mobility is typically though of in three different ways:

1. Bed mobility — Whether or not you can to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed comfortably.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to switch between places, 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 currently need assistance to be functionally mobile, the Chesterfield, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are dedicated to getting your self-sufficiency back. Whether the condition affecting you is a knee injury, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a a progressive disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll implement a customized plan that has been proven to help people like you return to optimal mobility. Most treatment plans include strengthening, balance, and flexibility movements. Our therapists are also specialists vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

The seven level Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is the main way to evaluate functional mobility in Chesterfield, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task without assistance and in a timely manner
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform specific movements but only with an assistive device
3. Supervision, meaning you can perform the movement by yourself but need someone standing by for safety
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can exert 75% of the work needed to complete the task or more while someone else does the rest
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can perform about half of the work necessary
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can complete about 25% of the task yourself
7. Total assistance or not testable, meaning you are unable to put in 25% of the work required, or that even testing whether or not you can do it carries the risk of injury

At Axes Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO, your tailor-made treatment plan may include gradually 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 when you and your licensed physical therapist first meet, they will perform a comprehensive examination of your health to verify that the treatment modalities we have in mind for you are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Chesterfield, MO

Of course, simply rolling over in bed without limitations does not define optimal movement health for many of us. There are corners to burn on the football field, fun activities to share with your family, and the occupational tasks of the job you carry out every day so that you can put food on the table for your Chesterfield, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any individual achieve the activity level they desire. Our services also include:

• Occupational therapy — Our Chesterfield, MO occupational therapists are crucial to your return to work when an injury or condition limits the mobility needed to to do your hob. We team up with you and your physician, insurance carrier, attorney and employer so you can get back to being an integral member of our Chesterfield, MO community and providing for your family as you want to. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to ascertain if you can safely go back to work either fully or in some capacity.
• Sports therapy — The worst-case scenario for anyone who loves playing sports is a sudden injury that keeps them inactive and limited for weeks, months, or longer. If you suffer an ACL tear, rotator cuff tear, or other sports injury, Axes Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO will help you restore your mobility and get you back on the field or court as soon as is safely possible. Our Certified Athletic Trainers can also educate you on the specifics of injury prevention to help you stay off the sidelines.
• Pre/post surgical rehabilitation — Surgery and your recovery from it are delicate matters that make anyone nervous. Whether your surgery is elective or medically necessary, we’ll team up with the doctors recommending and performing your surgery to give you piece of mind, and formulate an effective game plan to restore optimal mobility.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and the extent to wish you want to improve it, consult with your Chesterfield, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is advisable, or come see us for a free injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

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

Our mobility is based on our strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance:

• Strength — While physical therapy is effective at rebuilding and maintaining strength, it also helps achieve muscle balance. Surrounding our joints with healthy and equally strong muscles is crucial in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To reach the movement health and lifestyle we desire, our muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue need to be able to lengthen so that the joints they control and protect can function at their highest level.
• Balance — Problems with balance are typically caused by:
  • Problems with eyesight
  • A vestibular issue, or a problem in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the sense of awareness ingrained in our muscles and joints

A professional physical therapist in Chesterfield, MO will find the root of your limitations in mobility and develop a treatment plan, based on empirical research to improve your movement health. Beyond therapeutic strength, flexibility, and core exercises, We can help you improve your mobility with:

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

If necessary, a physical therapist in Chesterfield, MO can also mold your very own medically accepted assistive devices such as splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to best facilitate movement.

How Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase mobility. Your evidence-based treatment plans:

• Pain relief, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without the need of costly and potentially habit forming prescription drugs
• If applicable, the potential to avoid surgery by stimulating the body’s natural way of healing itself
• Movement health education, including physical therapy techniques you can safely do at home, what you can do to prevent injuries, and the best postures for improved mobility
• Motivating better physical health, which leads to enhanced energy, decreases your odds of developing heart disease, helps control weight, improves your mood, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

Other services we offer in Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to type, are in need of meaningful pain management for joint problems, or need to return to optimal movement health following a devastating injury, 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 call the location that works best for you.