Joint Pain in Gilmore, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is preventing you from living the life you want to, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Gilmore, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or had an awkward fall, we’ll work in concert with you as a team to develop an evidence-based treatment plan that is catered exactly to you to help you return to your pain-free life. 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 tend your garden without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain affects many Gilmore, MO residents. In the United States, roughly a quarter of adults live with joint pain. While it can be significantly limiting, it doesn’t have to control your life. It is important to see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no therapy will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has countless people with joint pain get back to the activities they love. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and personalized treatment in Gilmore, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Gilmore, MO Physical Therapy

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

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, such as the joints in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, for example the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, permit a full scope of of movement. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six types of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which permits rotation around a single 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 also allow for sideways and circular movements
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow the greatest freedom of movement and including rotational mobility

One fully grown, the human body has 206 bones which are linked 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. 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 produces synovial fluid, a egg white-like substance that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable connective tissue that connect two bones together, hold them in place, and help you move properly. For example, the ACL connects your thigh bone with your shin bone and prevents the tibia from moving too far forward.
• Tendons — These are also durable and elastic tissue that attaches muscles and bones and allow us to move our limbs.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs lining different parts of the joint that act as a shock absorber and reduce friction as your tendons, ligaments, and muscles glide over your bones.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and holds the synovial fluid.

We feel pain because our brain is trying to tell us that something is wrong.. When you suffer joint pain, that means parts of the joint are injured, inflamed, or otherwise damaged to the extent that it affects the function of your joint Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Evidence-based physical therapy in Gilmore, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

Why We Feel Joint Pain | Gilmore, MO Physical Therapy

There are countless factors that can cause crippling joint pain. Those conditions differ substantially in severity; some cannot be cured but pain can be alleviated. Other times joints can be made healthy in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require a well founded treatment plan and the guidance of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Gilmore, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general 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. It typically occurs with old age, repeated trauma, or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune conditions 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. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Gilmore, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your doctor to put together a customized treatment plan aimed at getting you back to the things you enjoy.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the fluid-filled sacs lining your joints become inflamed and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be because of overuse, a blow to the joint, repeated movements, or, uncommonly, infection. It most commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe flexibility and strength exercises, coupled with rest along with patient education can go a long way in preventing further trauma 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 swollen or irritated. It can happen with actions that require repetitive motions such as gardening. It can also occur a sudden sports injury. It’s most common in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will lightly strengthen and elongate the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon snaps, it may require surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains cause joint pain when a ligament is stretched or torn due to falling, buckling, or direct force 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, recovering from a tear is much more difficult. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be incredibly painful and make daily tasks difficult if not impossible.

If you’re experiencing joint pain, take advantage of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Gilmore, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

All of our Gilmore, MO patients are unique, so your particular treatment plan will be based on the cause and degree of your joint pain, your age, what you do for work, and the lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. As we progress through your physical therapy, we’ll show you exercises you can perform at home safely, so you can continue to find long-term pain relief and go on to enjoy the best possible range of motion.

While most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might lead to more joint pain, immobility will only aggravate your symptoms in the end. At Axes, our Gilmore, 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 better protect your joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on you, your joint pain, and your needs, we may use the following treatments in Gilmore, MO:

• 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 Gilmore, 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 Gilmore, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, can take a physical toll, it can also impact us mentally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, our entire team of professional Gilmore, MO occupational and physical therapists is devoted to getting you back to the activities you love. All of our treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to you, with the only interest being to see you pain-free and with the best movement health possible. All of our techniques have been confirmed with research. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Gilmore, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.