Mobility in Desoto, MO. Our bodies are built to be on the go. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that prevents us from doing what we love most. While losing your independence because of losing your mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Desoto, MO offers treatment plans that have been proven to be successful and that are customized specifically to you and your needs. Whether your mobility limitations are the result of acute trauma, a degenerative condition, or a musculoskeletal problem such as sciatica, begin your journey to optimal mobility and a pain-free daily life now by scheduling a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The dictionary definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that is as simple as picking up their kids comfortably, while for others it may mean serving an ace on the tennis court. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if can’t complete the activities you want to consult with your doctor to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Desoto, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to safely and efficiently move around in their home environment. This can be anything from moving around in bed or getting in and out of the shower safely. Fundamentally, 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 pain-free.
2. Transfers — Your ability to switch between places, for example from one chair to another.
3. Ambulation — If you can walk on your own while having objects in your hands.

If you cannot currently complete some or all of the activities above without a person or assistive device helping you, the Desoto, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to helping you restore your self-sufficiency. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility as a result of an ACL tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll develop a tailor-made plan that safely and correctly helps you reach the best possible movement health. Most treatment plans include strengthening, balance, and flexibility movements. We also offer vestibular therapy to help with vestibular disorders that cause dizziness and vertigo.

Desoto, MO physical therapists often utilize the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) of seven levels to assess someone’s functional mobility:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task safely and without taking an excessive amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform certain movements but only with an assistive device
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can complete the task independently but need someone to monitor you so you don’t hurt yourself
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can exert 75% of the work needed to complete the task or more while someone else helps you the rest of the way
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can perform about 50% of the work needed
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can complete about 25% of the task yourself
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 could lead to you becoming hurt

At Axes Physical Therapy in Desoto, MO, your customized treatment plan may include gradually taking you up through the seven levels, or at least to the highest level you are able to achieve. All of our methods are based on what research says can improve your mobility, and your dedicated physical therapist will begin your mobility treatment with a thorough examination of your health to confirm that the exercises we use are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Desoto, MO

To be sure, simply rolling over in bed without assistance does not define optimal movement health for many of us. There are pickleball leagues to dominate, your children to pick up, and the occupational tasks of the job you perform every day in order to provide for your Desoto, MO family. At Axes, our occupational and physical therapists can help any individual achieve the activity level they desire. Our services also include:

• Occupational therapy — Our Desoto, 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, workers’ compensation lawyer and employer so you can get back to contributing to our Desoto, MO community and supporting your family as you want to. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to ascertain what functional capacities you are capable of.
• Sports therapy — The worst-case scenario for anyone who loves playing sports is a sudden injury 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 Desoto, 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 is a complex and nerve-racking procedure for anyone. Whether your surgery is a matter of choice or a strong recommendation from a physician, we’ll team up with the doctors recommending and performing your surgery to ease your worry, and develop a proven plan of action to restore optimal mobility.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and the level of improved mobility you desire, consult with your Desoto, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is a good option for you, or visit one of our locations for a complimentary injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

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

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

• Strength — While physical therapy can help rebuild muscle after an injury and slow the weakening of muscles as we age, it also helps achieve muscle balance. Achieving equal muscle balance around joints is essential in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To reach the movement health and lifestyle we desire, 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 usually due to:
  • Problems with vision
  • A vestibular condition, or a problem in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the sense of awareness ingrained in our muscles and joints

A licensed physical therapist in Desoto, MO will be able to identify the source of your mobility issues and develop a treatment plan, based on evidence to improve your movement health. In addition to restorative strength, flexibility, and core exercises, your treatment plan may also include:

• 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 Desoto, MO can also mold your very own medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to best facilitate movement.

How Physical Therapy in Desoto, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase strength and flexibility. Your evidence-based treatment plans:

• Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions without the need of prescription medications
• In some cases, 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, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Motivating better physical health, carries with it the benefits of increased energy, decreases your odds of developing cardiovascular disease, helps control weight, makes you feel better, and promotes better sleep

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

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to type, 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 what you love doing most. We take a an approach that focuses on personalized treatment. To get back your independence and active lifestyle, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location that works best for you.