Joint Pain in Bridgeton, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the professional physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Bridgeton, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or were injured by trauma, we’ll work alongside you as a team to come up with a treatment plan that has been demonstrated to be effective that is unique to you to help find meaningful pain relief. Our practice focuses on you, the client, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to get dressed without pain, reach out to us us online or find the nearest location for you.

Joint pain is limiting for many Bridgeton, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated 25% of adults live with joint pain. While it can be significantly limiting, it doesn’t have to control your life. You should always see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no remedy is guaranteed to make everyone completely pain free, physical therapy has shown widespread success for patients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and tailored treatment in Bridgeton, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Bridgeton, MO Physical Therapy

There are many different kinds of joints in human anatomy, but they all work to connect bones together. There are three classes of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, but provide firm connections between adjacent bones, for example the joints in your head.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints provide limited movement, such as the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also referred to as synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your shoulder knee. There are six classes of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotary movement around a single axis
   2. Plane or gliding, which allows 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 permits similar movements as condyloid joints
   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 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 firm and flexible and sits on the ends of the bones. Its purpose is to act as a shock absorber.
• Synovial membrane — This membrane lines the joint cavity synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It produces synovial fluid, a thick liquid that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between the cartilage.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable connective tissue that connect two bones together and provide stability. For example, the shoulder ligaments connect your humerus to your shoulder blade and prevent the shoulder from becoming unstable.
• 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 experience joint pain, that means some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as intended Your brain wants you to know it needs attention. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Bridgeton, MO is often needed to address the issue.

Why We Feel Joint Pain | Bridgeton, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions can range in severity; some are not entirely curable but pain can be alleviated. Other times we can be pain-free with full mobility in just a few weeks. All of them, however, require a well founded treatment plan and the stewardship of a qualified physical and occupational therapist in Bridgeton, 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. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and 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 disorders that attack the healthy tissues in your body.

While we have yet to find a a cure for arthritis, pain and other symptoms can be managed 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 Bridgeton, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your doctor to come up with a customized treatment plan aimed at bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes 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, injury, repeated motions, or, uncommonly, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe physical therapy treatments along with patient education can help prevent future flare-ups and maintain strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. With the right treatment, bursitis can go away within a few weeks.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons around the joint become swollen or irritated. It can happen with tasks involving repetitive motions such as pitching in baseball. is also a common sports injury. It’s most common in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will gently strengthen and elongate the tendon to prevent further injuries. If a tendon becomes torn, it may require surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains happen when a ligament is extended or torn due to falling, buckling, or direct force to the area. Tears transpire when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While you may be able to recover from a sprain in a few weeks, recovering from a tear is much more difficult. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be incredibly painful and profoundly impact your ability to perform basic tasks.

If you have persistent join pain, take advantage of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain experts in Bridgeton, MO. If your joint pain is severe enough to require surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

All of our Bridgeton, 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, what you do for work, and the lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. As we progress through your rehabilitation, we’ll show you exercises you can do at home safely, so you can continue to find long-term pain relief and go on to enjoy optimal range of motion.

While it may seem natural to avoid movements that cause joint pain, immobility will only worsen your symptoms in the end. At Axes, our Bridgeton, 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 pain. We can also help you learn how to lessen the burden put on your joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, your treatment plan in Bridgeton, MO may include:

• 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 Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and any kind of pain, is a physical hardship, it can also affect us emotionally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, our entire team of professional Bridgeton, MO occupational and physical therapists is dedicated to seeing you be able to take part in 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. Everything we do has been backed by science. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Bridgeton, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.