Mobility in Mackenzie, MO. Our bodies are meant to move. But sometimes, our mobility is impeded and it impedes us from doing what we love most. While that loss of physical mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, MO offers safe, effective, and evidence-backed treatment plans that are customized specifically to you, your age, and your desired activity level. No matter if your mobility limitations are the result of acute trauma, a disease, or a musculoskeletal issue such as sciatica, take the first steps in optimal mobility and a pain-free daily life as soon as possible by scheduling a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the the one of our 15 locations most convenient for you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some people that looks like walking up the stairs comfortably, while for others it may mean serving an ace on the tennis court. Whatever it means to you, if your mobility is severely restricted consult with a physician about professional physical therapy services.

Functional Mobility in Mackenzie, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to safely get around their home. This can be simple tasks such as moving around in bed or getting in and out of the shower safely. Fundamentally, there are three types of functional mobility:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed pain-free.
2. Transfers — Your ability to move from one place to a different one, 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.

While the injury or condition impeding your functional mobility may mean that you currently rely on assistance in order to operate in your daily life, the Mackenzie, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are committed to helping you regain your independence. Whether the condition affecting you is an ACL tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll create a personalized plan that safely and correctly helps you reach optimal 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 dizziness and vertigo.

The seven level Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is the staple of how to assess functional mobility in Mackenzie, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can move in a certain way without risk of injury and in a relatively normal amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform certain movements but only with an assistive device
3. Supervision, meaning you can perform the movement by yourself but need someone to monitor you 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 exert 50% of the effort required
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 are unable to put in a quarter of the effort required, or that even testing whether or not you can do it is not safe

At Axes Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, 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 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 ensure that the exercises we have in mind for you are safe for someone suffering from the same ailment you are.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Mackenzie, MO

Of course, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just rolling over in bed comfortably. There are corners to burn on the football field, fun activities to share with your family, and the physical demands of the job you perform every day so that you can earn a living for your Mackenzie, MO family. At Axes, our occupational and physical therapists 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 Mackenzie, MO occupational therapists are essential to your recovery when an injury or condition limits the mobility needed to to do your hob. We serve as an integral member of your workers’ compensation team so you can get back to being an integral member of our Mackenzie, MO community and providing for your family as you want to. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine if you are ready to return to your job.
• Sports therapy — Every athletes worst nightmare is an unexpected pop or crack that keeps them off the field or court for anywhere from a couple weeks to a year. If you suffer an ACL tear, rotator cuff tear, or other sports injury, Axes Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, 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 elective or medically necessary, we’ll team up with the doctors recommending and performing your surgery to give you piece of mind, and develop an effective game plan to restore optimal mobility.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and lifestyle you are trying to get back to, consult with your Mackenzie, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is a good option for you, or come see us for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Mackenzie, 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 ensures that no muscle is disproportionately strong or weak. 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, 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 — Frequent causes of balance issues are:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular issue, or something in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, or the network between your sensory receptors and your nervous system

A licensed physical therapist in Mackenzie, MO will be able to identify the source of your mobility issues and come up with a treatment plan, based on evidence to improve your movement health. Beyond restorative 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 teaching correct posture

If your doctor and therapy team agree, a physical therapist in Mackenzie, MO can also mold your very own medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to aid you in your mobility and reduce risk of injury.

How Physical Therapy in Mackenzie, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase mobility. Your personalized treatment plans:

• Pain relief, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without the need of painkillers or opioids
• In some cases, the opportunity to avoid surgery by encouraging the body’s natural way of healing itself
• Mobility education, including exercises you can safely do at home, what you can do to prevent injuries, and correct posture
• Encouraging you to maintain an active lifestyle, which leads to enhanced energy, decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease, contributes to a healthy weight, improves your mood, and promotes better sleep

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

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to do basic everyday things, are looking for meaningful pain management for joint problems, 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 take a 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 most convenient for you.