Mobility in Hillsboro, MO. Our bodies are meant to to make walking and other movements easy. But sometimes, our bodies don’t work the way they should and it impedes 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 Hillsboro, MO offers safe, effective, and proven solutions that are built specifically to you and your needs. Regardless of whether your mobility is limited because of acute trauma, a chronic condition, or a musculoskeletal issue such as sciatica, take the first steps in optimal mobility and meaningful pain relief now by requesting a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some people that is as simple as getting in and out of a chair without pain, while others need to get back to making a diving catch in their softball league. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if your mobility is severely restricted speak with a physician to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Hillsboro, 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 walking up a flight of stairs. In general, there are three types of functional mobility:

1. Bed mobility — Whether or not you are able to 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 — If you can walk on your own while having objects in your hands.

If you cannot currently complete some or all of the tasks above without the aid of a person or assistive device, the Hillsboro, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are committed to helping you restore your autonomy. Whether your currently limited functional mobility was caused by an ACL tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system 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 movements. We also offer vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you can move in a certain way safely and in a relatively normal amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you need a device such as a walker to complete the task
3. Supervision, meaning you can perform the movement by yourself but need someone to monitor you to prevent risk of injury
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can do 75% or more while someone else does the rest
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can exert 50% of the effort necessary
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can put in a quarter of the work 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 carries the risk of injury

At Axes Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, 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 your dedicated physical therapist will begin your mobility treatment with a thorough examination of your health to confirm that the treatment modalities we use are safe for someone suffering from the same ailment you are.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Hillsboro, MO

Needless to say, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just walking up the stairs pain-free. There are pickleball leagues to dominate, fun activities to share with your family, and the physical demands of the job you carry out every day in order to provide for your Hillsboro, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any athlete, worker, or family member reach the optimal movement health they need to get back to the activities they love. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Hillsboro, MO occupational therapists are vital to your recovery when an injury or condition does not allow you to carry out the tasks of your job. We team up with you and your physician, insurance carrier, attorney and employer so you can get back to contributing to our Hillsboro, MO community and providing for your family as you always have. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine what functional capacities you are capable of.
• Sports therapy — The last thing anyone who loves playing sports wants to experience is an unexpected injury that keeps them inactive and limited for weeks, months, or longer. Our Hillsboro, MO physical therapy team knows how to help those who are sidelined because of ACL tears, rotator cuff tears, and a variety of other injuries. Our Certified Athletic Trainers also specialize in 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 team up with the doctors recommending and performing your surgery to help you feel confident in your treatment, and formulate a proven game plan to restore optimal mobility.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and lifestyle you are trying to get back to, consult with your Hillsboro, MO doctor about what physical therapy can do for you, or come see us for a complimentary injury screening from a licensed physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Hillsboro, 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 to make sure no muscle is stronger or weaker than it should be in relation to the muscles around it. Having proportionately strong muscles around joints is imperative in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To achieve optimal movement health, not only do our muscles need to have the strength to control bones, but our muscles, ligaments, 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 — Frequent causes of balance issues include:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular condition, 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 Hillsboro, MO will be able to identify the source of your mobility issues and come up with a treatment plan, based on empirical research to improve your movement health. Beyond 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 your doctor and therapy team agree, a physical therapist in Hillsboro, MO can also fit you for medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to help you achieve the best possible mobility.

How Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, 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, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without needing to depend on prescription medications
• In some cases, the potential to avoid a surgical procedure by encouraging the body’s own healing methods
• Patient 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 enhanced energy, lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease, contributes to a healthy weight, improves your mood, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

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

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to open jars, are looking for meaningful pain management for sciatica, or want to get back on the field after a sports injury, Axes’ team of licensed physical and occupational therapists is here to help you get back to the activities you love. We practice a leads to positive patient outcomes. To restore the level of mobility you deserve, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location nearest for you.