Joint Pain in Augusta, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Augusta, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or sustained an injury, we’ll work alongside you as a team to come up with a treatment plan that has been demonstrated to be effective that is personalized specifically for you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice based on giving you, the client, a remarkable experience. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to tend your garden without pain, reach out to us us online or find the nearest location for you.

Joint pain is limiting for many Augusta, MO residents. In the United States, an estimated 25% of adults suffer from joint pain. While it can be significantly inhibiting, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. It is important to consult with a physician to see if physical therapy is safe for you. While no treatment will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for people with joint pain. Contact Axes for for a complimentary injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Augusta, MO Physical Therapy

There are many different kinds of joints in human anatomy, but they all share the function of connecting bones together. There are three classes of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, help provide stability by holding bonds together, such as the sutures in your cranium.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints allow for partial movement, for example the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, make most of the motions our bodies make possible. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six categories of diarthrosis joints:
   1. Pivot, which permits rotation around a single 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 side to side and circular movements
   5. Saddle, which also allow for sideways and circular movements
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow any of the movements the human body can naturally make

One fully grown, the human body has 206 bones which are fastened by 360 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — This is a connective tissue that covers the surface of the joint. Its purpose is to act as a shock absorber.
• Synovial membrane — This membrane lines many parts of the inside of synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It produces synovial fluid, a egg white-like substance that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction when you move your joints.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable and elastic tissue that connect bone to bone, do not allow them to move unnaturally, and help you move properly. For example, the the calcaneofibular ligament on the outside of your ankle prevents your foot from rolling inwards.
• Tendons — These are also durable connective tissue that attaches your bones to the muscles that control their movement.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs lining different parts of the joint that act as a cushion and reduce friction between the moving parts of a joint.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and is filled with the synovial fluid.

We feel pain because our brain is trying to tell us that something is wrong.. When you experience joint pain, that means some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as they should Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Evidence-based physical therapy in Augusta, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.

What Leads to Joint Pain | Augusta, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ considerably in severity; some cannot be cured but meaningful relief is possible. In other cases joints can fully recover in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require a well founded treatment plan and the guidance of a knowledgeable physical and occupational therapist in Augusta, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can cause joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term that includes several different diagnoses. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones breaks 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 conditions wherein your immune system mistakenly 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 Augusta, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your doctor to come up with a holistic treatment plan with the objective of bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the fluid-filled sacs lining your joints become inflamed and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be caused by overuse, a blow to the joint, repeated movements, or, uncommonly, 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 more bursitis down the road and rebuild strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. With the right treatment, bursitis can go away within a few weeks.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis causes joint pain when the tendons around the joint become inflamed or injured. It is caused by actions involving repetitive motions such as pitching in baseball. It can also be caused by a sudden sports injury. Most cases of tendinitis involve the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will gently strengthen and elongate the tendon to prevent further injuries. If a tendon tears, it may require surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains happen when a ligament is stretched or torn due to twisting, landing awkwardly, or a blow to the area. Tears occur 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 such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause immense pain and make daily activities challenging if not impossible.

If joint pain is keeping you from the activities you love, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Augusta, MO. If what’s causing your joint pain requires surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

All of our Augusta, MO clients are unique, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying conditions and degree of your joint pain, how old you are, how your pain affects your ability to work, and the activities you want to enjoy in the future. As we progress through your physical therapy, we’ll show you exercises you can do at home safely, so you can continue to manage any future pain and prevent future flare-ups.

While our natural instinct is to avoid movements that cause joint pain, immobility will only worsen your symptoms in the end. At Axes, our Augusta, MO physical and occupational therapists understand what it takes to get positive patient outcomes; we will help you increase mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also help you learn how to reduce strain on joints with posture correction and other patient education.

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

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

Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Augusta, MO:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Joint Pain Management in Augusta, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and any kind of pain, is a physical burden, it can also impact us emotionally by not letting us to what makes us happy in life. At Axes PT, our entire team of licensed Augusta, MO occupational and physical therapists is committed to seeing you be able to participate 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’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Augusta, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.