Mobility in Maryknoll, MO. Our bodies are built to move. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that impedes us from our favorite activities, or even just being able to carry out or daily live comfortably. While losing your independence because of losing your mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO can create solutions that have been proven to work and that are customized specifically to you and your needs. No matter if your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a disease, or a musculoskeletal condition such as sciatica, begin your journey to optimal movement health and a pain-free daily life now by scheduling a mobility and injury analysis with Axes today or calling the the one of our 15 locations nearest you.

The dictionary definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some people that is as simple as picking up their kids comfortably, while others have more active lifestyle desires like sprinting down the basketball court on a fast break. Whatever mobility means to you, if your mobility is severely restricted speak with your doctor to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Maryknoll, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to complete basic tasks. This can be anything from comfortably laying down in bed each night or bringing a cup of coffee to another room and sitting on the couch. 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 with ease.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to switch between surfaces, for example from a bed to a chair.
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 Maryknoll, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to getting your self-sufficiency back. Whether your currently limited functional mobility was caused by a knee injury, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll guide you through your journey to optimal mobility. Part of your treatment will likely be simple and safe strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises. Our therapists are also specialists vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you can achieve specific mobility thresholds without risk of injury and in a relatively normal amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform specific movements but only with a walker, a cane, or crutches
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can perform the movement by yourself but need someone to monitor you for safety
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can do 75% 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 work required, or that the activity is not safe to test

At Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO, your customized treatment plan may include gradually taking you up through the seven levels, or at least to the highest level possible. 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 have in mind for you are safe for someone suffering from the same ailment you are.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Maryknoll, MO

Obviously, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just walking up the stairs without limitations. There are fast breaks to run, 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 Maryknoll, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any individual achieve the activity level they desire. Our services also include:

• Occupational therapy — Our Maryknoll, MO occupational therapists are crucial to your return to work when an injury or condition limits the mobility needed to to do your hob. 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 Maryknoll, MO community and supporting your family the best way you can. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine if you can safely go back to work either fully or at some level.
• Sports therapy — The worst-case scenario for any athlete is a sudden fall or collision that keeps them off the field or court for anywhere from a couple weeks to a year. Our Maryknoll, MO physical therapy team is experienced in helping 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 and your recovery from it are delicate matters that make anyone nervous. 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 help you feel confident in your treatment, and formulate an effective game plan to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and lifestyle you are trying to get back to, consult with your Maryknoll, 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 Maryknoll, MO Can Help Improve Your Mobility

The four tenets 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 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 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, 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 are:
  • Problems with eyesight
  • A vestibular disorder, or something in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the sense of awareness ingrained in our muscles and joints

A professional physical therapist in Maryknoll, MO will be able to identify the source of your limitations in mobility and come up with a treatment plan, based on empirical research to improve your movement health. In addition to therapeutic 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 required, a physical therapist in Maryknoll, MO can also mold your very own medically accepted assistive devices such as splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to help you achieve the best possible mobility.

How Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, 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 reach optimal movement health, you’ll also see the following benefits:

• Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions without the need of painkillers or opioids
• In some cases, the potential to avoid a surgical procedure by stimulating the body’s natural way of healing itself
• Mobility education, including exercises you can safely do at home, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Encouraging you to maintain an active lifestyle, which leads to enhanced energy, decreases your odds of developing 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 Maryknoll, 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 Maryknoll, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to type, are in need of 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 will develop and implement the treatment plan that works best for you. We take 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.