Joint Pain in Chesterfield, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is making your life more painful then it used to be, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Chesterfield, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or were injured by trauma, we’ll work with you as a team to come up with an evidence-based treatment plan that is personalized specifically for you to help find meaningful pain relief. Our practice based on giving you, the client, a remarkable experience. If you want to get back to owning your local tennis league, or just want to tie your shoes without pain, reach out to us us online or find the closest location for you.

Joint pain affects many Chesterfield, MO residents. In the U.S., roughly 25% of adults live with joint pain. While it can be considerably restrictive, it doesn’t have to control your life. It’s a good idea to consult with a doctor to see if physical therapy is right for you. While no remedy is 100% effective for 100% of patients, physical therapy has shown widespread success for patients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and personalized treatment in Chesterfield, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Chesterfield, MO Physical Therapy

The many joints in human anatomy have many shapes, sizes, and purposes, but they all attach bones together. There are three classes of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, but provide firm connections between adjacent bones, such as the gomphoses in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are partially moveable, for example the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six classifications of diarthrosis joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around one point
   2. Plane or gliding, which permits 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 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 fastened by 360 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — Cartilage is a connective tissue that covers the surface of the joint. It allows for smooth movement and cushions the bone against each other.
• 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 lowers friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable and elastic tissue that connect bone to bone, hold them in place, and help you move properly. For example, the shoulder ligaments connect your humerus to your shoulder blade and prevent the shoulder from becoming unstable.
• Tendons — These are also durable and elastic tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs lining different parts of the joint 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 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 be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Evidence-based physical therapy in Chesterfield, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.

What Leads to Joint Pain | Chesterfield, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions can range in severity; some cannot be cured but symptoms can be alleviated. Other times joints can fully recover in less than a month. All of them, however, require a well founded treatment plan and the guidance of a qualified physical and occupational therapist in Chesterfield, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can lead to joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes several different diagnoses. Most people with arthritis suffer from 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 are also associated causes.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune diseases wherein your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells, usually 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. Physical therapy is an aspect of arthritis treatment along with medications, supplements, and topical treatments. The Chesterfield, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your doctor to create a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at getting you back to the things you enjoy.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the bursae become inflamed and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be the result of overuse, trauma, repeated movements, or, in some rare cases, infection. It most commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Effective physical therapy treatments along with patient education can go a long way in preventing future flare-ups and rebuild 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 connecting the bones and muscles become inflamed or damaged. It can happen with activities 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 lengthen the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon tears, a physician may advise surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains cause joint pain when a ligament is stretched or torn because of twisting, buckling, or direct force to the area. Tears happen when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While the recovery time for a sprain is usually a few weeks, the recovery time is much longer with tears. Tears like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be extremely painful and make basic tasks challenging if not impossible.

If you’re experiencing joint pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Chesterfield, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, we’ll work with you to create a personalized pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

What Physical Therapy in Chesterfield, MO Can Do for Your Joint Pain

All of our Chesterfield, MO patients are unique, so your particular treatment plan will be based on the underlying reasons for and degree of your joint pain, your age, your occupational needs, and the your desired activity level. As we progress through our treatment, we’ll show you exercises you can do at home safely, so you can continue to manage any future pain and prevent further injuries.

While it may seem natural to avoid movements that cause joint pain, the truth is that by not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Chesterfield, MO physical and occupational therapists know what they’re doing; we know how to help you increase mobility and strength without causing further pain. We can also help you learn how to better protect your joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, your treatment plan in Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and any kind of pain, can take a physical toll, it can also affect us mentally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, every one of our knowledgeable Chesterfield, MO occupational and physical therapists is devoted 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 proven to be effective. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Chesterfield, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.