Mobility in Shrewsbury, 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 pain-free. While experiencing pain and other factors that affect mobility also have an impact on our emotional well-being, Axes Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO can implement solutions 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 an impairment in your musculoskeletal skeleton such as sciatica, take the first steps in optimal mobility and a pain-free daily life now by setting up a mobility and injury analysis 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 is as simple as rolling over in bed comfortably, while for others it may mean sprinting down the basketball court on a fast break. Whatever you need to improve your movement health for, if your mobility is severely restricted speak with a physician to see if physical therapy is the right choice for you.

Functional Mobility in Shrewsbury, MO

Functional mobility is the capacity one has to complete daily tasks. This can be simple tasks such as comfortably laying down in bed each night or walking up a flight of stairs. In general, functional mobility is typically though of in three different ways:

1. Bed mobility — Your ability to easily move around in bed, including rolling, scooting, sitting up, and lying down.
2. Transfers — Whether or not you are able to move from one surface to a different one, 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.

If you currently need assistance to be functionally mobile, the Shrewsbury, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are committed to getting your freedom back. Whether you currently lack full functional mobility as a result of a knee injury, arthritis or other joint pain, or even a degenerative condition like Parkinson’s disease, we’ll design a tailor-made plan that has been proven to help people like you return to optimal mobility. Most treatment plans include strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises. We also offer 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 Shrewsbury, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you can move in a certain way safely and in a timely manner
2. Modified independence, meaning you need a device such as crutches to complete the task
3. Stand-by assist, meaning you can perform the movement independently but need someone close by so you don’t hurt yourself
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 half of the work necessary
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can complete about 25% 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 Shrewsbury, MO, your customized treatment plan may include gradually taking you from the first level to the highest level possible. All of our treatment plans are proven to be safe and effective through extensive clinical studies, and your dedicated physical therapist will begin your mobility treatment with a comprehensive evaluation of your health to ensure that the exercises we use are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Shrewsbury, MO

Obviously, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just rolling over in bed without assistance. There are corners to burn on the football field, fun activities to share with your family, and the physical demands of the job you perform every day so that you can provide for your Shrewsbury, MO family. At Axes, our occupational and physical therapists can help any individual reach the optimal movement health they need to get back to the activities they love. Our services also include:

• Occupational therapy — Our Shrewsbury, MO occupational therapists are an essential part of getting you back to work after a work-related injury. 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 Shrewsbury, MO community and providing for 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 — The worst-case scenario for any athlete is an unexpected injury that keeps them inactive and limited for weeks, months, or longer. Our Shrewsbury, 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 are big believers in teaching 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 help you feel confident in your treatment, and develop a proven game plan to get the best possible outcome from your procedure.

However limited you currently are in your mobility, and the level of movement health you desire, consult with your Shrewsbury, MO doctor about whether they think getting you a prescription for physical therapy is right for you, or visit one of our locations for a no-obligation injury screening from a licensed physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Shrewsbury, 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 ensures that no muscle is disproportionately strong or weak. Having equal muscle balance around joints is essential in preventing injury and improving your mobility.
• Flexibility and range of motion — To achieve optimal movement health, our muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue need to be able to lengthen so that the joints they control and protect can function properly.
• Balance — Problems with balance are usually due to:
  • Vision issues
  • A vestibular disorder, or a problem in your inner ear
  • Your proprioceptive system, or the network between your sensory receptors and your nervous system

A professional physical therapist in Shrewsbury, MO will determine what is causing your limitations in mobility and come up with a safe and effective treatment plan to get you back to the activities you love. 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 good posture education

If your doctor and therapy team agree, a physical therapist in Shrewsbury, MO can also create custom medically accepted assistive devices including splints, braces, crutches, or canes in order to aid you in your mobility and reduce risk of injury.

How Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

Physical therapy does more than just increase mobility. Your personalized treatment plans:

• Pain relief, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without having to use prescription medications
• Depending on the nature of your mobility limitations, the opportunity to avoid a surgical procedure by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Patient education, including exercises you can safely do at home, what you can do to prevent injuries, and correct posture
• Motivating better physical health, which leads to 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to type, are looking for 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 what you love doing most. We employ a client-centered approach. To get back your independence and active lifestyle, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location that works best for you.