Joint Pain in Crystal City, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Crystal City, MO you love the most. Whether you suffer from chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or had an awkward fall, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to come up with an evidence-based treatment plan that is unique to you to help find significant pain relief. Our practice based on giving you, the client, an extraordinary experience. If you want to get back to dominating your local kickball league, or just want to stand up and sit down without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain affects many Crystal City, MO residents. In the U.S., about a quarter of adults experience joint pain. While it can be significantly inhibiting, meaningful relief is possible. It’s a good idea to see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no treatment will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for clients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and customized treatment in Crystal City, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Crystal City, MO Physical Therapy

The many joints in human anatomy have many shapes, sizes, and purposes, but they all share the function of connecting bones together. There are three types of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, for instance the sutures in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints allow for limited movement, for example the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six classes of diarthrosis joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotary movement around a single axis
   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 the same movements as condyloid joints
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow the highest degree of movement and including rotational mobility

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 — Cartilage 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 inner capsules 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 cartilage.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable and pliable 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 muscle to bone.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs between bones and surrounding tissues that act as a shock absorber and reduce friction when you move your joints.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and holds the synovial fluid.

We experience 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 intended Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Proven physical therapy in Crystal City, MO is often needed to address the issue.

Why We Feel Joint Pain | Crystal City, 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 slowed down. Other times we can be pain-free with full mobility in just a few weeks. All of them, however, require an optimal treatment plan and the care of a qualified physical and occupational therapist in Crystal City, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can lead to joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term that includes several different diagnoses. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and degenerative joint disease characterized by the wearing down of the cartilage between bones. It generally occurs with old age, repeated trauma, or overuse.

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 evidence-backed physical therapy by enhancing flexibility and strengthening the muscles around the joint. Physical therapy is an aspect of arthritis treatment along with medications, supplements, and topical treatments. The Crystal City, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your physician to implement a personalized treatment plan aimed at 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, a blow to the joint, repeated movements, or, rarely, infection. It most commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe physical therapy treatments along with patient education can help prevent more bursitis down the road and rebuild strength and flexibility in the joint. Taking precautions and following a treatment plan can cure bursitis in less than a month.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis causes joint pain when the tendons connecting the bones and muscles become inflamed or irritated. It is caused by actions that require repetitive motions such as shoveling. It can also occur a sudden 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 snaps, a physician may advise surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains happen when a ligament is stretched or torn as a result of twisting, landing on uneven ground, or direct force to the joint. Tears happen 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 significant pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform basic tasks.

If you have joint pain that won’t go away, take advantage of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Crystal City, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

We evaluate each Crystal City, MO patients as an individual, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying conditions and level 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 future flare-ups.

While most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might lead to more joint pain, the truth is that by not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Crystal City, MO physical and occupational therapists are pros; we do not take any risks that might make your symptoms worse. We can also help you learn how to lessen the burden put on your joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on you, your joint pain, and your needs, your treatment plan in Crystal City, MO may include:

• 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 Crystal City, 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 Crystal City, 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 letting us to what makes us happy in life. At Axes PT, every one of our experienced Crystal City, MO occupational and physical therapists is committed 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 getting you a positive patient outcome. All of our treatments have been proven to be effective. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Crystal City, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.