Joint Pain in Jefferson Barracks, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Jefferson Barracks, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or were injured by trauma, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to come up with a proven treatment plan that is unique to 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 your local softball league, or just want to tend your garden without pain, contact us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain affects many Jefferson Barracks, MO residents. In the U.S., approximately a quarter of adults live with joint pain. While it can be severely restrictive, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. You should always see a doctor before starting physical therapy. While no remedy is 100% effective for 100% of clients, physical therapy has countless people with joint pain improve their daily lives. Contact Axes for for a complimentary injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Jefferson Barracks, MO Physical Therapy

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

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, but provide strong connections between adjacent bones, for instance the bones in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, for example the vertebrae in the spine.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, allow a wide range of movement. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six classes of diarthrosis joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around one point
   2. Plane or gliding, which permits bones to glide over each other
   3. Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
   4. Condyloid, which allows side to side and circular movements
   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 linked 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 many parts of the inside of synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It makes synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that reduces friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of tough and flexible tissue that connect bone to bone 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 connective tissue that attaches muscles and bones and allow us to move our limbs.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs between bones and surrounding tissues that act as a cushion and reduce friction as your tendons, ligaments, and muscles glide over your bones.
• Joint Cavity — This is the space between bones that holds the cartilage and synovial membrane.

Our brain sends us pain signals when we are injured to notify us that something is wrong. When you suffer joint pain, that means the joint cannot function properly Your brain wants you to know it needs attention. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Jefferson Barracks, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

Why We Feel Joint Pain | Jefferson Barracks, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions differ wildly in severity; some cannot be cured but symptoms can be controlled. Other times we can be pain-free with full mobility in less than a month. All of them, however, require a smart treatment plan and the guidance of a qualified physical and occupational therapist in Jefferson Barracks, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can result in joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes several different diagnoses. 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 degenerates. 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 conditions wherein your immune system erroneously attacks healthy cells, most often in the joints.

While we have yet to find a a cure for arthritis, improved mobility and reduced pain can be achieved with safe and practical 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO physical therapists at Axes will in concert with you and your doctor to implement a customized treatment plan with the objective of getting you back to the things you enjoy.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the bursae become inflamed and cannot protect the joint as well when it’s moved. It can be because of overuse, trauma, repeated movements, or, uncommonly, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve 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 surrounding muscles. With the right treatment, bursitis can go away within a few weeks.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons connecting the bones and muscles become swollen or injured. It is caused by actions involving repetitive motions such as gardening. is also a common sports injury. It’s most common in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will lightly strengthen and lengthen the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon snaps, a physician may advise surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains transpire when a ligament is stretched or torn due to twisting, landing awkwardly, or a blow to the area. Tears transpire when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While you may be able to recover from a sprain in a few weeks, tears usually require many months to recover from. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause significant pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform daily tasks.

If you’re experiencing joint pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain experts in Jefferson Barracks, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, we can be part of your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

All of our Jefferson Barracks, MO clients are unique, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying reasons for and level of your joint pain, how old you are, what you do for work, 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 manage any future pain and prevent further injuries.

While most of us don’t want to try and do anything that might cause more joint pain, in reality not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Jefferson Barracks, 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 teach you how to better protect your joints with posture correction and other techniques.

Depending on you, your joint pain, and your needs, your treatment plan in Jefferson Barracks, 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 Jefferson Barracks, 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, is a physical hardship, it can also affect us emotionally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, our entire team of knowledgeable Jefferson Barracks, 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. Everything we do has been proven to be effective. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Jefferson Barracks, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.