Joint Pain in Eureka, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the professional physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Eureka, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, 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 successful that is unique to you to help significantly reduce your pain. Our practice is client-centered, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to owning your local pickleball league, or just want to pick up your grandchildren without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the nearest location for you.

Joint pain is all too common for Eureka, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated 25% of adults suffer from joint pain. While it can be severely debilitating, meaningful relief is possible. You should always consult with a doctor to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you. While no therapy will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for patients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and tailored treatment in Eureka, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Eureka, MO Physical Therapy

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

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, help provide stability by holding bonds together, for instance the gomphoses in your cranium.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints allow for partial movement, such as the vertebrae in the spine.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six classifications of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which permits rotation around one point
   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 flexion, extension, and circular motions
   5. Saddle, which permits similar 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 connected by almost 400 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — Cartilage is a connective tissue that is tough and flexible and sits between the bones. 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 thick liquid that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable and pliable tissue that connect bone to bone and provide stability. For example, the the calcaneofibular ligament on the outside of your ankle prevents your foot from rolling inwards.
• 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 the different parts of a joint interact with each other.
• 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 we are injured.. When you experience joint pain, that means the joint cannot function properly Your brain wants you to know it needs attention. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Eureka, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.

Common Causes of Joint Pain | Eureka, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ substantially in severity; some cannot be cured but meaningful relief is possible. Other times joints can be made healthy in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require an optimal treatment plan and the guidance of a qualified physical and occupational therapist in Eureka, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes several different diagnoses. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber at the ends of your bones degenerates. It generally occurs with old age, repeated trauma, or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune diseases wherein your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue, most often in the joints.

While we have yet to find a a cure for arthritis, pain and stiffness can be managed with effective physical therapy by reducing the stress placed on the joint with improved strength and flexibility. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Eureka, MO physical therapists at Axes will in concert with you and your doctor to create a customized treatment plan with the objective of bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the bursae become swollen and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be because of overuse, injury, 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 help prevent future flare-ups and maintain strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. Taking precautions and following a treatment plan can return you to normal in less than a month.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons connecting the bones and muscles become swollen or damaged. It can happen with actions involving repetitive motions such as pitching in baseball. It can also be caused by a sudden sports injury. It’s most common in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will help safely strengthen and elongate the tendon to prevent further injuries. If a tendon tears, you may need surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains occur when a ligament is extended or torn as a result of twisting, buckling, or direct trauma to the joint. 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 like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be extremely painful and profoundly impact your ability to perform basic tasks.

If you’re experiencing joint pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain experts in Eureka, MO. If your joint pain is severe enough to require surgery, we’ll work with you to create a personalized pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

No one Eureka, MO resident’s joint pain is exactly like someone else’s, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the underlying reasons for and level of your joint pain, your age, your occupational needs, and the activities you want to enjoy in the future. We’ll work with you to show you safe and effective exercises that you can perform at home after your treatment plan is completed, so you can continue to find long-term pain relief and go on to enjoy optimal range of motion.

While most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might cause more joint pain, immobility will only worsen your pain in the end. At Axes, our Eureka, MO physical and occupational therapists understand what it takes to get positive patient outcomes; we do not take any risks that might make your symptoms worse. We can also show you how to reduce strain on joints with posture correction and other patient education.

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

While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, 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 Eureka, 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 treatments have been backed by science. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Eureka, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.