Joint Pain in Berkeley, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is preventing you from living the life you want to, the qualified physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Berkeley, MO you love the most. Whether you suffer from chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or sustained an injury, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to implement an evidence-based treatment plan that is catered exactly to you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice is client-centered, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to pick up your grandchildren without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain affects many Berkeley, MO residents. In the U.S., roughly one in four adults live with 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 doctor to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you. While no remedy is 100% successful for 100% of clients, physical therapy has shown widespread success for clients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and tailored treatment in Berkeley, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Berkeley, MO Physical Therapy

There are many different kinds of joints in human anatomy, but they all attach bones together. There are three classifications of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, such as the bones in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints provide limited movement, for example the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, allow a wide range of movement. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six classes of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around a single point
   2. Plane or gliding, which allows movement up and down, left and right, and diagonally
   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 any of the movements the human body can naturally make

A human adult has 206 bones which are linked by almost 400 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — This is a connective tissue that is tough and flexible and sits between the bones. 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 makes synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that reduces friction between the cartilage.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable connective tissue that connect bone to bone, hold them in place, 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 similar in substance to ligaments that attaches muscles and bones and allow us to move our limbs.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs between bones and surrounding tissues that act as a cushion and reduce friction as the different parts of a joint interact with each other.
• Joint Cavity — This is the space between bones that holds the cartilage and synovial membrane.

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 some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as they should Your brain wants you to do something about it. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Berkeley, MO is often needed to address the issue.

Common Causes of Joint Pain | Berkeley, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ significantly in severity; some cannot be cured but symptoms can be controlled. Other times joints can be made healthy in just a few weeks. All of them, however, require an optimal treatment plan and the guidance of a professional physical and occupational therapist in Berkeley, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Most people with arthritis have what is called osteoarthritis, which degenerative joint disease characterized by the wearing down of the cartilage between bones. Old age is the most common risk factor, but overuse and repeated trauma can also be to blame.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune conditions that attack the healthy tissues in your body.

While there is no cure for arthritis, improved mobility and reduced pain can be achieved with effective physical therapy by reducing the stress placed on the joint with improved strength and flexibility. Physical therapy is an aspect of arthritis treatment along with medications, supplements, and topical treatments. The Berkeley, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your physician to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan with the objective of getting you back to the things you enjoy.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes joint pain when the fluid-filled sacs lining your joints become swollen and cannot protect the joint as well when it’s moved. It can be the result of overuse, trauma, repeated motions, or, in some rare cases, infection. It most commonly occurs in 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 joint. With the right treatment, bursitis can go away within a month.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons around the joint become inflamed or injured. It is caused by 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 help safely strengthen and lengthen the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon is ruptured, you may need surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains occur when a ligament is extended or torn due to falling, stepping on uneven ground, or direct trauma 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 such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be incredibly painful and make basic activities challenging if not impossible.

If you have joint pain that won’t go away, come to Axes for one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Berkeley, MO. If your joint pain is severe enough to require surgery, we can be part of your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

No one Berkeley, MO resident’s joint pain is exactly like someone else’s, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the cause and degree of your joint pain, how old you are, your occupational needs, and the activities you want to enjoy in the future. As we progress through your rehabilitation, 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 most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might lead to more joint pain, immobility will only exacerbate your pain in the end. At Axes, our Berkeley, MO physical and occupational therapists understand what it takes to get positive patient outcomes; we will help you enhance mobility and strength without causing further pain. 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, your treatment plan in Berkeley, MO may include:

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

Check out the links below to see what other services we offer in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and any kind of pain, is a physical hardship, it can also impact us mentally by not allowing us to live the life we want. At Axes PT, our entire team of professional Berkeley, MO occupational and physical therapists is dedicated to getting you back to the activities you love. We believe the best way to get our patients back to optimal health and a pain-free life is by working with them as a team and implementing treatment plans tailored specifically to them. All of our techniques have been backed by science. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Berkeley, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.