Mobility in Park Hills, MO. Our bodies are designed to move. But sometimes, our mobility is impeded and it impedes us from the activities we love. While losing your independence because of losing your mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Park Hills, MO can provide you with treatment plans that have been proven to get results and that are built specifically to you and your needs. Regardless of whether your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a disease, or a musculoskeletal issue such as sciatica, take the first steps in optimal mobility and comfort as soon as possible by requesting an appointment with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The dictionary definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some Park Hills, MO residents that looks like rolling over in bed comfortably, while for others it may mean serving an ace on the tennis court. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if you can’t live the life you want pain-free speak with a physician to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Park Hills, MO

Functional mobility is the capacity one has to complete basic tasks. This includes simple tasks such as getting in and out of 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 are able to to comfortably move around in bed, including rolling, scooting, sitting up, and lying down.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to switch between surfaces, for example from a chair, bed, or sofa to another.
3. Ambulation — Whether or not you can walk, and can do so while carrying things.

If you currently need assistance to be functionally mobile, the Park Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are dedicated to getting your self-sufficiency back. 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 develop a tailor-made plan that safely and correctly helps you reach optimal movement health. Part of your treatment will likely be simple and safe strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises. We also offer vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task without assistance and in a timely manner
2. Modified independence, meaning you need a device such as a cane to complete the task
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can complete the task independently but need someone to monitor you to prevent risk of injury
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can exert 75% of the effort needed to complete the task or more while someone else does the rest
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can perform about 50% of the work needed
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 can complete less than 25% of the task, or that the activity is not safe to test

At Axes Physical Therapy in Park Hills, 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 proven to be safe and effective through extensive clinical studies, and when you and your licensed physical therapist first meet, they will perform a thorough examination of your health to verify that the exercises we use are safe for someone suffering from the same ailment you are.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Park Hills, MO

To be sure, simply rolling over in bed independently does not define optimal movement health for many of us. There are pickleball leagues to dominate, fun activities to share with your family, and the job-related tasks you need to carry out every day so that you can earn a living for your Park Hills, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any individual reach the optimal movement health they need to get back to the activities they love. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Park Hills, MO occupational therapists are essential 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, workers’ compensation lawyer and employer so you can get back to contributing to our Park Hills, MO community and supporting your family the best way you can. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to ascertain if you are ready to return to your job.
• Sports therapy — Every athletes worst nightmare is a sudden fall or collision that sidelines them and keeps them from what they love for weeks, months, or longer. Our Park Hills, 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 can also educate you on the specifics of 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 work with your physician and surgeons to form a complete surgical team to ease your worry, and develop a successful strategy to restore optimal mobility.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and the level of movement health you desire, consult with your Park Hills, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is advisable, or come see us for a free injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Park Hills, 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. Having proportionately strong muscles around joints is essential in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• 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 usually caused by:
  • 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 licensed physical therapist in Park Hills, MO will determine what is causing your limitations in mobility and come up with a treatment plan, based on evidence 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 teaching correct posture

If required, a physical therapist in Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, 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. Your personalized treatment plans:

• Pain relief, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without needing to depend on prescription medications
• If applicable, the opportunity to avoid surgery by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Patient education, including exercises you can safely do at home, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Motivating better physical health, which leads to increased energy, decreases your risk of heart disease, helps control weight, improves your mood, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

Other services we offer in Park Hills, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Mobility in Park Hills, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to type, are in need of meaningful pain management for arthritis, 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 an approach that focuses on personalized treatment. To restore the level of mobility you deserve, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location that works best for you.