Mobility in Ranken, MO. Our bodies are designed to to make walking and other movements easy. 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 that loss of physical mobility can affect our mental health as well, Axes Physical Therapy in Ranken, MO offers solutions that have been proven to get results and that are built specifically to you and your needs. Whether your mobility limitations are the result of an injury, a degenerative condition, or a musculoskeletal problem such as sciatica, take the first steps in your best possible movement health and comfort as soon as possible by setting up a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the the one of our 15 locations nearest you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that may mean rolling over in bed comfortably, while others need to get back to making a diving catch in their softball league. Whatever it 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 Ranken, MO

Functional mobility refers to a person’s ability to safely and efficiently move around in their home environment. This can be anything from comfortably laying down in bed each night or carrying a cup of coffee to another room and sitting down. Fundamentally, functional mobility can be broken down into three categories:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to scoot, roll, and get in and out of bed pain-free.
2. Transfers — Your ability to switch between places, for example from one chair to another.
3. Ambulation — Your ability to walk freely without the need of assistance. This also includes walking while being able to carry objects.

While the injury or condition limiting your functional mobility may mean that you currently rely on assistance in order to operate in your daily life, the Ranken, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are devoted to getting your autonomy back. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility as a result of 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 implement a tailor-made 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 exercises. Our therapists are also specialists vestibular therapy for people who have a debilitating vestibular disorder.

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

1. Complete independence, meaning you can complete a specified task without risk of injury and without taking an excessive amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform specific movements but only with a walker, a cane, or crutches
3. Supervision, meaning you can complete the task by yourself but need someone standing by to prevent risk of injury
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 exert half of the effort needed
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can put in a quarter of the work of the task independently
7. Total assistance or not testable, meaning you can complete less than 25% of the task, or that even testing whether or not you can do it could lead to you becoming hurt

At Axes Physical Therapy in Ranken, MO, your customized treatment plan may include safely taking you up through the seven levels, or at least to the highest level possible. All of our treatment plans are based on what research says works best for you, and at your first appointment with your professional physical therapist, they will perform a comprehensive examination of your health to confirm that the treatment modalities we have in mind for you are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Ranken, MO

Needless to say, simply rolling over in bed comfortably does not define optimal movement health for many of us. There are corners to burn on the football field, fun activities to share with your family, and the vocational tasks you need to perform every day so that you can earn a living for your Ranken, 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 Ranken, MO occupational therapists are an essential part of getting you back to work after a work-related injury. We serve as an integral member of your workers’ compensation team so you can get back to being an integral member of our Ranken, MO community and supporting your family as you always have. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to ascertain 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 keeps them inactive and limited 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 Ranken, 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 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 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 proven plan of action to restore optimal mobility.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and the extent to wish you want to improve it, consult with your Ranken, 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 qualified physical or occupational therapist.

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

Our mobility is based on our strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance:

• Strength — While physical therapy is effective at rebuilding and maintaining strength, it also helps achieve muscle balance. Having equal muscle balance around joints is essential in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To reach the movement health and lifestyle we desire, 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 — Frequent causes of balance issues include:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular condition, or something in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, the sense of awareness ingrained in our muscles and joints

A clinically experienced physical therapist in Ranken, MO will be able to identify the source of your limitations in mobility and develop a treatment plan, based on empirical research 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 correct posture education

If your doctor and therapy team agree, a physical therapist in Ranken, MO can also create custom medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to help you achieve the best possible mobility.

How Physical Therapy in Ranken, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase mobility. As we work to improve your movement health, you’ll also see the following benefits:

• Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions without the need of costly and potentially habit forming prescription drugs
• If applicable, the opportunity to avoid surgery by encouraging the body’s natural way of healing itself
• Movement health education, including exercises you can safely do at home, 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 Ranken, 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 Ranken, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to open jars, are in need of meaningful pain management for joint problems, or need to return to optimal movement health following a devastating injury, Axes’ team of licensed physical and occupational therapists will develop and implement the treatment plan that is safe and affective. We pride ourselves on our an approach that focuses on personalized treatment. To get back your independence and active lifestyle, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or call the location that works best for you.