Mobility in Parkdale, MO. Our bodies are meant to move. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that prevents us from the activities we love. While experiencing pain and other factors that affect mobility also have an impact on our emotional well-being, Axes Physical Therapy in Parkdale, MO can provide you with solutions that have been proven to be successful and that are built specifically to you and your needs. Regardless of whether your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a degenerative condition, or a musculoskeletal condition such as sciatica, start on the road back to your best possible movement health and comfort as soon as possible by requesting an appointment with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some people that looks like rolling over in bed 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 about professional physical therapy and movement health services.

Functional Mobility in Parkdale, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to complete daily tasks. This includes anything from comfortably laying down in bed each night or walking up a flight of stairs. 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 pain-free.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to switch between places, 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 cannot currently complete some or all of the activities above without a person or assistive device helping you, the Parkdale, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to getting your self-sufficiency back. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility due to a knee injury, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a a progressive disorder like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll develop a tailor-made plan that safely and correctly helps you reach optimal movement health. Most treatment plans include strengthening, balance, and flexibility training. We also offer vestibular therapy to help with vestibular disorders that cause sensory dysfunction.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you are able to achieve specific mobility thresholds safely 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. Stand-by assist, 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 someone else does the rest
5. Moderate assistance, meaning you can perform about 50% 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 can complete less than 25% of the task, or that the activity is not safe to test

At Axes Physical Therapy in Parkdale, MO, your customized treatment plan may include safely allowing you more and more independence until you get the highest level you can. All of our methods are based on what research says works best for you, and your dedicated physical therapist will begin your mobility treatment with a thorough evaluation of your health to confirm that the exercises we have in mind for you are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Parkdale, MO

Obviously, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just rolling over in bed pain-free. There are corners to burn on the football field, fun activities to share with your family, and the occupational tasks of the job you perform every day in order to put food on the table for your Parkdale, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any athlete, worker, or family member achieve the activity level they desire. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Parkdale, MO occupational therapists are crucial to your recovery 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 Parkdale, MO community and supporting your family the best way you can. 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 fall or collision that sidelines them and keeps them from what they love 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 Parkdale, 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 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 help you feel confident in your treatment, and formulate a proven game plan to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

Whatever the current level of mobility, and the level of improved mobility you desire, consult with your Parkdale, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is a good option for you, or come see us for a no-obligation injury screening from a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

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

Our mobility is based on 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 ensures that no muscle is disproportionately strong or weak. Achieving equal muscle balance 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, ligaments, 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 — Frequent causes of balance issues are:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular issue, 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 Parkdale, 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 therapeutic 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 necessary, a physical therapist in Parkdale, MO can also create custom medically accepted assistive devices such as splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to aid you in your mobility and reduce risk of injury.

How Physical Therapy in Parkdale, 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 for both acute and chronic conditions without needing to depend on prescription medications
• In some cases, 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, carries with it the benefits of increased energy, lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease, contributes to a healthy weight, makes you feel better, and encourages your body to get a full 8 hours of sleep

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

Whether you are looking for hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to open jars, 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 will develop and implement the treatment plan that works best for you. We employ a an approach that focuses on personalized treatment. To get back your independence and active lifestyle, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location most convenient for you.