Mobility in Murphy, MO. Our bodies are built to move. But sometimes, our bodies don’t work the way they should and it impedes us from doing what we love most. While that loss of physical mobility affects us in more ways than just physically, Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO can create solutions that have been proven to be successful and that are tailored specifically to getting you back to the life you want to live. No matter if your mobility is limited because of acute trauma, a disease, or an impairment in your musculoskeletal skeleton such as sciatica, take the first steps in your best possible mobility and comfort now by scheduling an appointment with Axes today or calling the the one of our multiple locations nearest you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that may mean picking up their grandchildren comfortably, while for others it may mean making a diving catch in their softball league. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if you can’t live the life you want comfortable consult with a physician to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Murphy, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to safely and efficiently get around their home. This includes anything from rolling over in bed or getting in and out of the shower safely. Fundamentally, there are three types of functional mobility:

1. Bed mobility — Whether or not you can to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed with ease.
2. Transfers — Your ability to move from one surface to another, for example from a bed to a chair.
3. Ambulation — Whether or not you can walk, and can do so while carrying things.

If you cannot currently complete some or all of the activities above without the aid of a person or assistive device, the Murphy, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are committed to getting your self-sufficiency back. Whether your currently limited functional mobility was caused by a sports injuryan rotator cuff tear tear, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a central nervous system disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll develop a customized plan that safely and correctly helps you reach 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 to help with vestibular disorders that cause dizziness and vertigo.

The seven level Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is the main way to determine functional mobility in Murphy, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task without risk of injury and in a relatively normal 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 to monitor you so you don’t hurt yourself
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can do 75% or more while a physical therapist helps you the rest of the way
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can perform about half 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 even testing whether or not you can do it could lead to you becoming hurt

At Axes Physical Therapy in Murphy, MO, your personalized treatment plan may include gradually taking you from the first level to the highest level possible. All of our treatment plans 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 verify that the treatment modalities we have in mind for you are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Murphy, MO

To be sure, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just walking up the stairs pain-free. There are corners to burn on the football field, your children to play with, and the job-related tasks you need to carry out every day so that you can provide for your Murphy, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any athlete, worker, or family member improve mobility they need to get back to the activities they love. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Murphy, MO occupational therapists are vital to your return to work 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 helping our Murphy, MO community and providing for your family as you always have. 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 last thing anyone who loves playing sports wants to experience is a sudden pop or crack that sidelines them and keeps them from what they love for anywhere from a couple weeks to a year. Our Murphy, 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 can also educate you on the specifics of 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 work with your physician and surgeons to form a complete surgical team to ease your worry, and formulate a successful plan of action to restore optimal mobility.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and the level of improved mobility you desire, consult with your Murphy, MO doctor about whether they think getting you a prescription for physical therapy is right for you, or come see us for a complimentary injury screening from a clinically experienced physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Murphy, 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 to make sure no muscle is stronger or weaker than it should be in relation to the muscles around it. Achieving equal muscle balance around joints is essential in preventing injury and improving your mobility.
• 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 — Balance issues are commonly due to:
  • Problems with vision
  • A vestibular condition, or something in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the receptors in our muscles that monitor length, tension, pressure and noxious stimuli

A professional physical therapist in Murphy, MO will find the root of your mobility issues and develop a safe and effective treatment plan to improve your movement health. In addition to therapeutic 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 correct posture education

If required, a physical therapist in Murphy, 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 Murphy, 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 costly and potentially habit forming prescription drugs
• Depending on the nature of your mobility limitations, the potential to avoid surgery by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Patient education, including physical therapy techniques you can do in the comfort of your own home with no risk to injury, injury prevention techniques, and the best postures for improved mobility
• Motivating better physical health, which leads to enhanced energy, decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease, helps control weight, improves your mood, and promotes better sleep

Other services we offer in Murphy, 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 Murphy, 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 joint problems, or want to return to your active lifestyle following acute trauma, Axes’ team of licensed physical and occupational therapists will develop and implement the treatment plan that is safe and affective. We take a leads to positive patient outcomes. To restore the level of mobility you deserve, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or call the location most convenient for you.