Joint Pain in Affton, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Affton, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or had an awkward fall, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to develop a proven treatment plan that is unique to you to help significantly assuage your pain. Our practice focuses on you, the client, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to owning your local kickball league, or just want to tend your garden without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain is all too common for Affton, MO residents. In the U.S., approximately a quarter of adults experience joint pain. While it can be significantly inhibiting, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. It’s a good idea to consult with a physician to see if physical therapy is safe for you. While no remedy will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for people with joint pain. Contact Axes for for a free injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Affton, MO Physical Therapy

The human body has hundreds of joints, but they all attach bones together. There are three types of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, help provide stability by holding bonds together, for example the joints in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints allow for limited movement, for example the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your shoulder knee. There are six classifications of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around one point
   2. Plane or gliding, which permits bones to glide over each other
   3. Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
   4. Condyloid, which allows flexion, extension, and circular motions
   5. Saddle, which also allow for side to side and circular movements
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow the greatest degree of movement and including rotational mobility

A human adult has 206 bones which are fastened by 360 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — Cartilage is a connective tissue that is firm and flexible and sits on the ends of the bones. It allows for smooth movement and shock absorption.
• Synovial membrane — This membrane lines the inner capsules of synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It produces synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that reduces friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable connective tissue that connect two bones together and provide stability. For example, the ACL connects your thigh bone with your shin bone and prevents the tibia from moving too far forward.
• Tendons — These are also durable and elastic tissue that attaches your bones to the muscles that control their movement.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs between bones and surrounding tissues that act as a cushion and reduce friction as your tendons, ligaments, and muscles glide over your bones.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and is filled with the synovial fluid.

Our brain sends us pain signals when we are injured to let us know that something is wrong. When you feel joint pain, that means parts of the joint are injured, inflamed, or otherwise damaged to the extent that it affects the function of your joint Your brain wants you to do something about it. Proven physical therapy in Affton, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.

Why We Feel Joint Pain | Affton, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ significantly in severity; some are not completely curable but meaningful relief is possible. Other times joints can be made healthy in less than a month. All of them, however, require a well founded treatment plan and the stewardship of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Affton, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can cause joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Most people with arthritis have what is called osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber at the ends of your bones wears down. Old age is the most common risk factor, but overuse and repeated trauma are also associated causes.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune disorders wherein your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells, most often in the joints.

While there is no cure for arthritis, improved mobility and reduced pain can be achieved with effective physical therapy by allowing the joint to move with greater ease. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Affton, MO physical therapists at Axes will in concert with you and your doctor to come up with a customized treatment plan with the objective of bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the bursae become swollen and cannot reduce the friction between parts of the joint. It can be the result of overuse, injury, repeated movements, or, rarely, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Effective flexibility and strength exercises, coupled with rest along with patient education can help prevent future flare-ups and maintain strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. Taking precautions and following a treatment plan can cure bursitis in a few weeks.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons around the joint become inflamed or injured. It can happen with actions involving repetitive motions such as in manual labor. is also a common sports injury. It usually occur in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will lightly strengthen and lengthen the tendon to reduce the risk of further injuries. If a tendon becomes torn, a physician may advise surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains cause joint pain when a ligament is stretched or torn because of falling, landing on uneven ground, or direct force to the area. Tears are when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While after most sprains you can be back to normal in a few weeks, the recovery time is much longer with tears. Tears like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause significant pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform basic tasks.

If you have persistent join pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Affton, MO. If a physician recommends surgery, we’ll work with you to create a personalized pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

How Physical Therapy in Affton, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain

We treat each Affton, MO clients as an individual, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the cause and severity of your joint pain, your age, how your pain affects your ability to work, and the lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. As we progress through your physical therapy, we’ll show you exercises you can perform at home safely, so you can continue to find long-term pain relief and go on to enjoy optimal movement health.

While it may seem natural to avoid movements that cause joint pain, immobility will only exacerbate your symptoms in the end. At Axes, our Affton, MO physical and occupational therapists know what they’re doing; we do not take any risks that might make your symptoms worse. We can also help you learn how to reduce strain on joints with posture correction and other techniques.

Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, we may use the following treatments in Affton, MO:

• Dry Needling
• Work Rehabilitation
• Injury Prevention
• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Kineseo Taping®
• Blood Flow Restriction Training

Take a look at the links below to see what other services we offer in Affton, MO:

• 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

Joint Pain Management in Affton, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, is a physical burden, it can also affect us emotionally by not allowing us to live the life we want. At Axes PT, every one of our professional Affton, MO occupational and physical therapists is dedicated to seeing you be able to take part in the activities you love. All of our treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to you, with the only interest being to see you pain-free and with the best movement health possible. Everything we do has been backed by science. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Affton, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.