Joint Pain in Herculaneum, 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 is here to get you back to the activities in Herculaneum, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or sustained an injury, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to develop a treatment plan that has been demonstrated to be effective that is personalized specifically for you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice is client-centered, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to go up and down the stairs without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the nearest location for you.
Joint pain is a problem for many Herculaneum, MO residents. In the U.S., about a quarter of adults experience joint pain. While it can be considerably limiting, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. It is important to consult with a doctor to see if physical therapy is right for you. While no therapy is guaranteed to make everyone completely pain free, physical therapy has shown widespread success for clients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and personalized treatment in Herculaneum, MO.
Understanding Joint Pain | Herculaneum, MO Physical Therapy
The many joints in human anatomy have many shapes, sizes, and purposes, but they all work to connect bones together. There are three categories of joints:
- Synarthrosis joints are immovable, but provide firm connections between adjacent bones, for instance the bones in your skull.
- Amphiarthrosis joints provide limited movement, for example the vertebrae in the back.
- Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six classes of diarthrosis joints:
- Pivot, which allows rotation around a single point
- Plane or gliding, which allows movement up and down, left and right, and diagonally
- Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
- Condyloid, which allows side to side and circular movements
- Saddle, which permits similar movements as condyloid joints
- 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 connected by 360 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. 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 thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that reduces friction between the joint and bone.
- Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of tough 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 similar in substance to ligaments 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 holds the synovial fluid.
Our brain sends us pain signals when we are injured to notify us that something is wrong. When you feel joint pain, that means the joint cannot function properly Your brain wants you to do something about it. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Herculaneum, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.
Why We Feel Joint Pain | Herculaneum, MO Physical Therapy
Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ significantly in severity; some cannot be cured but meaningful relief is possible. Other times joints can fully recover in less than a month. All of them, however, require a sound treatment plan and the guidance of a licensed physical and occupational therapist in Herculaneum, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can lead to joint pain include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Most people with arthritis have what is called osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber at the ends of your bones wears down. 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 diseases wherein your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, usually in the joints.
While as far as modern medicine goes arthritis cannot be cured, improved mobility and reduced pain can be achieved with safe and practical physical therapy by increasing flexibility and strengthening the muscles around the joint. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Herculaneum, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your doctor to put together a holistic treatment plan aimed at bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.
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 caused by overuse, trauma, repeated motions, or, in some rare cases, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Effective physical therapy treatments along with patient education can go a long way in preventing further trauma and rebuild strength and flexibility in the joint. 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 around the joint become swollen or irritated. It can happen with tasks that require repetitive motions such as landscaping work. It can also be caused by 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 reduce the risk of further injuries. If a tendon becomes torn, a physician may advise surgery.
Sprains and Tears
Sprains transpire when a ligament is stretched or torn because of twisting, stepping on uneven ground, or direct force to the area. Tears transpire when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While the recovery time for a sprain is usually a few weeks, tears typically require many months to recover from. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause immense pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform daily tasks.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, take advantage of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Herculaneum, MO. If your joint pain is severe enough to require surgery, we can be part of your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.
How Physical Therapy in Herculaneum, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain
All of our Herculaneum, MO clients are unique, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying reasons for and degree of your joint pain, your age, what you do for work, and the activities you want to enjoy in the future. 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 optimal movement health.
While most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might lead to more joint pain, in reality not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Herculaneum, MO physical and occupational therapists understand what it takes to get positive patient outcomes; we know how to help you increase mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also teach you 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 Herculaneum, MO may include:
- 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 Herculaneum, 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 Relief in Herculaneum, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, is a physical burden, it can also affect us mentally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, our entire team of professional Herculaneum, 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 treatments have been confirmed with studies. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Herculaneum, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.
