Trouble Gripping or Pinching? It Might Be Basal Joint Pain By Jeff Cowdry, OTR/L, CHT – Axes in Ballwin, MO If you’ve been dealing with nagging pain at the base of your thumb—especially when gripping, pinching, or opening jars—you’re not alone. This type of pain, often caused by basal joint...Read More

Elbow Pain Holding You Back? Here’s What to Know (and What to Do) By Camri Pratt, MOTR/L – Axes in South County (Mehlville, MO) Elbow pain can be surprisingly disruptive — whether you’re on the court playing tennis or pickleball, lifting weights at the gym, or simply doing your job....Read More

What to Expect During Hand Therapy at Axes Physical Therapy Whether you’ve been referred by a surgeon, are recovering from an injury, or dealing with pain and dysfunction in your arm or hand, starting hand therapy can come with a lot of questions — and sometimes, anxiety. At Axes Physical...Read More

June 2-8, 2025 Hand Therapy Week, we’re celebrating the 18 talented and dedicated hand therapists who serve patients across 13 Axes Physical Therapy locations. They are experts in rehabilitation, compassionate caregivers, and champions of restoring movement — from post-operative recovery to complex injuries and chronic conditions. But the impact of...Read More

Have you ever noticed in winter weather or cold temperatures that the color changes in your fingers, toes, and/or nose? If it is also accompanied by numbness or a freezing sensation, you may be part of the estimated 8% of people in the United States with Raynaud’s Syndrome.Read More

Axes Physical Therapy is excited to announce that beginning September 2022, our Ballwin location now has certified hand therapy services provided by Jennifer Hoffman, OTR/L CHT. Jennifer Hoffman, OTR/L CHT graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1998 from the University of Missouri. Since receiving the highly prestigious certification as a...Read More

Have you ever noticed in winter weather or cold temperatures that the color changes in your fingers, toes, and/or nose? If it is also accompanied by numbness or a freezing sensation, you may be part of the estimated 8% of people in the United States with Raynaud’s Syndrome.Read More

Smartphones have become a huge part of our daily lives – our primary form of communication personally and professionally. Right at our fingertips we have the internet, text messaging, video chatting, social media, email, GPS, music, a camera, and an app for nearly anything else you could think up. According...Read More

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects mainly the joint’s cartilage and surrounding bone tissue. OA can occur in any joint – knees, hips, shoulders, and even the hands or fingers, called Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis. The prevalence of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis is 7% for men and 15%...Read More

WHY do I have joint pain as I’m getting older? IS joint pain inevitable with age? As a practicing hand therapist for over 15 years, I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been asked questions like… “Why does my shoulder hurt when I reach up into...Read More