Mobility in Leslie, MO. Our bodies are built to move. 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 affects us in more ways than just physically, Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO can create treatment plans that have been proven to work and that are tailored specifically to getting you back to the life you want to live. Whether your mobility is limited because of an injury, a degenerative condition, or an impairment in your musculoskeletal skeleton such as sciatica, start on the road back to your best possible mobility and comfort now by scheduling a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The dictionary defines mobility as, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that may mean picking up their grandchildren comfortably, while others need to get back to sprinting down the basketball court on a fast break. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if you can’t live the life you want comfortable consult with your doctor to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Leslie, 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, there are three types of functional mobility:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed comfortably.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to move from one place to another, for example from a chair, bed, or sofa to another.
3. Ambulation — If you can walk on your own while having objects in your hands.

If you currently need assistance to be functionally mobile, the Leslie, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to helping you regain your freedom. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility due to a knee injury, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll implement a personalized plan that has been proven to help people like you return to the best possible mobility. Part of your treatment will likely be simple and safe strengthening, balance, and flexibility training. We also offer vestibular therapy to help with vestibular disorders that cause sensory dysfunction.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task without risk of injury and without taking an excessive amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you need a device such as a cane to complete the task
3. Supervision, meaning you can perform the movement by yourself but need someone close by 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 perform about 50% of the work required
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can put in a quarter of the work of the task without assistance
7. Total assistance or not testable, meaning you are unable to put in a quarter of the work required, or that the activity is not safe to test

At Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO, your personalized treatment plan may include gradually allowing you more and more independence until you get the highest level you can. 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 evaluation 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 Leslie, MO

Of course, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just being to move between furniture without limitations. There are doubles to hit in your softball league, fun activities to share with your family, and the occupational tasks of the job you perform every day in order to earn a living for your Leslie, MO family. At Axes, our occupational and physical therapists 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 Leslie, 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 being an integral member of our Leslie, MO community and providing for your family the best way you can. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to ascertain what activity level you can safely carry out.
• Sports therapy — The worst-case scenario for any athlete is a sudden pop or crack 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 Leslie, 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 team up with the doctors recommending and performing your surgery to give you piece of mind, and formulate a successful strategy to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and the level of improved mobility you desire, consult with your Leslie, MO doctor about what physical therapy can do for you, or come see us for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening from a professional physical or occupational therapist.

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

The four determinants of mobility are 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. Surrounding our joints with healthy and equally strong muscles is essential in preventing injury and improving your mobility.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To improve our mobility to the highest level we can, our muscles, tendons, 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 — Balance issues are commonly caused by:
  • Problems with eyesight
  • A vestibular disorder, or something 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 Leslie, MO will be able to identify the source of your limitations in mobility and develop a treatment plan, based on evidence to improve your movement health. Beyond restorative 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 teaching correct posture

If necessary, a physical therapist in Leslie, MO can also fit you for medically accepted assistive devices such as splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to best facilitate movement.

How Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

The benefits of physical therapy go beyond just getting around easier, getting back to work, or getting back on the field. As we work to improve your movement health, you’ll also enjoy:

• Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions without needing to depend on painkillers or opioids
• If applicable, the opportunity to avoid surgery by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Movement health education, including exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home with no risk to injury, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Encouraging better physical health, which leads to increased energy, decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease, helps control weight, improves your mood, and promotes better sleep

Other services we offer in Leslie, 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 Leslie, 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 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 what you love doing most. We employ a client-centered approach. To restore the level of mobility you deserve, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or call the location that works best for you.