Mobility in Country Life Acres, MO. Our bodies are built to be on the go. But sometimes, our mobility is impeded and it prevents us from doing what we love most. While experiencing pain and other factors that affect mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Country Life Acres, MO offers solutions that have been proven to work and that are tailored specifically to you, your age, and your desired activity level. Whether your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a disease, or an impairment in your musculoskeletal structure such as sciatica, begin your journey to your best possible mobility and meaningful pain relief now by requesting a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the the one of our 15 locations most convenient for you.

The dictionary defines mobility as, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some Country Life Acres, MO residents that looks like 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 speak with a physician to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Country Life Acres, MO

Functional mobility is the capacity one has to safely and efficiently move around in their home environment. This can be simple tasks such as comfortably laying down in bed each night or getting in and out of the shower safely. In general, functional mobility can be broken down into three categories:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed pain-free.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to move from one surface to a different one, for example from a chair, bed, or sofa 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 Country Life Acres, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are dedicated to getting your autonomy back. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility because of an ACL tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a a progressive disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll create a personalized plan that safely and correctly helps you reach optimal mobility. We will guide you in strengthening, balance, and flexibility training. We also offer vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

Country Life Acres, MO physical therapists often use the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) of seven levels to determine someone’s functional mobility:

1. Complete independence, meaning you are able to complete a specified task without risk of injury and in a timely manner
2. Modified independence, meaning you need a device such as a cane to complete the task
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can complete the task by yourself but need someone to monitor you so you don’t hurt yourself
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can exert 75% of the effort 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 effort required, or that even testing whether or not you can do it is not safe

At Axes Physical Therapy in Country Life Acres, 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 when you and your licensed physical therapist first meet, they will perform a thorough evaluation 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 Country Life Acres, MO

Of course, simply rolling over in bed without limitations does not define optimal movement health for many of us. There are pickleball leagues to dominate, your children to pick up, and the vocational tasks you need to perform every day in order to earn a living for your Country Life Acres, MO family. At Axes, our occupational and physical therapists can help any individual reach the optimal movement health they need to get back to the activities they love. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Country Life Acres, MO occupational therapists are an essential part of getting you back to work after a work-related injury. We serve as an integral member of your workers’ compensation team so you can get back to being an integral member of our Country Life Acres, MO community and supporting your family the best way you can. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine what functional capacities you are capable of.
• Sports therapy — The last thing any athlete wants to experience is a sudden injury that keeps them off the field or court for weeks, months, or longer. If you suffer an ACL tear, rotator cuff tear, or other sports injury, Axes Physical Therapy in Country Life Acres, 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 is a complex and nerve-racking procedure for anyone. Whether your surgery is elective or medically necessary, we’ll work with your physician and surgeons to form a complete surgical team to give you piece of mind, and develop a proven plan of action to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and the level of movement health you desire, consult with your Country Life Acres, MO doctor about whether they think getting you a prescription for physical therapy is right for you, or come see us for a no-obligation injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Country Life Acres, 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 helps achieve muscle balance. Surrounding our joints with healthy and equally strong muscles is imperative in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• 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 — Problems with balance are typically due to:
  • Problems with eyesight
  • A vestibular disorder, or a problem in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the receptors in our muscles that monitor length, tension, pressure and noxious stimuli

A clinically experienced physical therapist in Country Life Acres, MO will find the root of your limitations in mobility and develop a treatment plan, based on evidence to improve your movement health. In addition to therapeutic 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 good posture education

If your doctor and therapy team agree, a physical therapist in Country Life Acres, MO can also mold your very own medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to help you achieve the best possible mobility.

How Physical Therapy in Country Life Acres, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase strength and flexibility. Your customized 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
• In some cases, the opportunity to avoid surgery by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Movement health education, including physical therapy techniques you can safely do at home, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Encouraging better physical health, carries with it the benefits of enhanced energy, decreases your odds of developing cardiovascular disease, contributes to a healthy weight, makes you feel better, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

Other services we offer in Country Life Acres, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Mobility in Country Life Acres, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to do basic things around the house, are in need of meaningful pain management for arthritis, or want to return to your active lifestyle following acute trauma, Axes’ team of licensed physical and occupational therapists will develop and implement the treatment plan that is safe and affective. We pride ourselves on our leads to positive patient outcomes. 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.