Mobility in Woodson Terrace, MO. Our bodies are built to move. But sometimes, we sustain an injury or other condition that keeps 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 Woodson Terrace, MO offers treatment plans that have been proven to be successful and that are customized specifically to you and your needs. No matter if your mobility is limited because of acute trauma, a disease, or a musculoskeletal condition such as sciatica, take the first steps in your best possible mobility and a pain-free daily life as soon as possible by setting up a free evaluation with Axes today or calling the location nearest you.

The one definition of mobility is, “the ability to move… freely and easily.” For some of us that is as simple as getting in and out of a chair comfortably, while others have more active lifestyle desires like making a diving catch in their softball league. Whatever it means to you, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO

Functional mobility is the capacity one has to safely move around in their home environment. This includes anything from comfortably laying down in bed each night or getting in and out of the shower safely. Fundamentally, functional mobility is typically though of in three different ways:

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 move from one place to another, for example from a bed to a chair.
3. Ambulation — If you can walk on your own while having objects in your hands.

While the injury or condition impeding your functional mobility may mean that you currently rely on assistance in order to operate in your daily life, the Woodson Terrace, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes are committed to getting your autonomy 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 guide you through your journey to the best possible movement health. We will guide you in strengthening, balance, and flexibility training. Our therapists are also highly trained in 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 Woodson Terrace, MO:

1. Complete independence, meaning you are able to complete a specified task without assistance and in a relatively normal amount of time
2. Modified independence, meaning you can perform certain movements but only with an assistive device
3. Supervision, meaning you can perform the movement independently but need someone next to you to prevent risk of injury
4. Minimal assistance, meaning you can exert 75% of the work needed to complete the task 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 necessary
6. Maximal assistance, meaning you can complete about 25% of the task yourself
7. Total assistance or not testable, meaning you are unable to put in 25% of the work required, or that even testing whether or not you can do it carries the risk of injury

At Axes Physical Therapy in Woodson Terrace, MO, your customized treatment plan may include gradually 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 ensure that the treatment modalities we have in mind for you are safe for someone in your exact condition.

Beyond Functional Mobility in Woodson Terrace, MO

To be sure, many of us desire a higher level of movement health than just walking up the stairs without assistance. There are pickleball leagues to dominate, your children to pick up, and the vocational tasks you need to carry out every day so that you can earn a living for your Woodson Terrace, MO family. At Axes, we offer comprehensive physical and occupational physical therapy that can help any individual achieve the activity level they desire. We also offer:

• Occupational therapy — Our Woodson Terrace, 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 serve as an integral member of your workers’ compensation team so you can get back to helping our Woodson Terrace, MO community and supporting your family the best way you can. Our advanced work rehabilitation includes Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine what activity level you can safely carry out.
• Sports therapy — The worst-case scenario for any athlete is an unexpected pop or crack 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 Woodson Terrace, 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 are big believers in teaching injury prevention to help you stay off the sidelines.
• 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 give you piece of mind, and formulate a successful plan of action 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 Woodson Terrace, MO doctor about whether or not physical therapy is a good option for you, or visit one of our locations for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening from a licensed physical or occupational therapist.

How a Physical Therapist in Woodson Terrace, 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. Surrounding our joints with healthy and equally strong muscles is imperative in preventing injury and reaching optimal movement health.
• 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 usually caused by:
  • 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

An experienced physical therapist in Woodson Terrace, MO will determine what is causing your limitations in mobility and develop a treatment plan, based on evidence 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 teaching correct posture

If necessary, a physical therapist in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO Helps Beyond Mobility

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

• Pain relief, whether from an injury or pain that is chronic in nature without having to use painkillers or opioids
• Depending on the nature of your mobility limitations, the opportunity to avoid surgery by motivating your body to heal on its own
• Mobility education, including exercises you can safely do at home, injury prevention techniques, and correct posture
• Motivating you to maintain an active lifestyle, carries with it the benefits of enhanced energy, lowers your risk of heart disease, contributes to a healthy weight, improves your mood, and promotes better sleep

Other services we offer in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Whether you need hand therapy in order to make it easier for you to write, 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 is here to help you get back to what you love doing most. We employ a leads to positive patient outcomes. To restore the level of mobility you deserve, request an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today or find the location nearest for you.