Joint Pain in Maplewood, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is making your life more painful then it used to be, the qualified physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Maplewood, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or had an awkward fall, we’ll work in concert with you as a team to come up with a proven treatment plan that is personalized specifically for you to help find significant pain relief. Our practice based on giving you, the client, a remarkable experience. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to get dressed without pain, reach out to us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain is limiting for many Maplewood, MO residents. In the U.S., about 25% of adults live with joint pain. While it can be severely limiting, it doesn’t have to control your life. It is important to see a doctor before starting physical therapy. While no remedy is 100% effective for 100% of the population, physical therapy has shown widespread success for patients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and customized treatment in Maplewood, MO.

Understanding Joint Pain | Maplewood, MO Physical Therapy

The human body has hundreds of joints, but they all share the function of connecting bones together. There are three classifications of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, help provide stability by holding bonds together, for example the joints in your head.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, for example the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, make most of the motions our bodies make possible. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six categories of diarthrosis joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotary movement around a single axis
   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 the same movements as condyloid joints
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow the highest freedom of movement and including rotational mobility

A human adult has 206 bones which are fastened by 360 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — This is a connective tissue that covers the surface of the joint. It allows for smooth movement and shock absorption.
• 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 lowers friction between the cartilage.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of firm connective tissue that connect bone to bone and provide stability. 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 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 between the moving parts of a joint.
• Joint Cavity — This is the space between bones that holds the cartilage and synovial membrane.

We feel pain because our brain is trying to tell us that something is wrong.. When you suffer joint pain, that means the joint cannot function properly Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Proven physical therapy in Maplewood, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

Common Causes of Joint Pain | Maplewood, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions can range in severity; some cannot be cured but meaningful relief is possible. In other cases joints can be made healthy in just a few weeks. All of them, however, require a smart treatment plan and the care of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Maplewood, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can lead to 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 cushions 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 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 safe and practical 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 Maplewood, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your physician to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan with the objective of bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes joint pain when the fluid-filled sacs lining your joints become inflamed and cannot reduce the friction between parts of the joint. It can be caused by overuse, injury, repeated motions, 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 joint. 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 inflamed or damaged. It is caused by actions that require repetitive motions such as gardening. It can also be caused by a sudden sports injury. Most cases of tendinitis involve the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will gently strengthen and lengthen the tendon to prevent further injuries. If a tendon becomes torn, it may require surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains transpire when a ligament is extended or torn due to falling, landing awkwardly, or direct trauma to the area. Tears cause joint pain when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While you may be able to recover from a sprain in a few weeks, recovering from a tear is much more difficult. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause significant pain and make daily activities challenging if not impossible.

If you have persistent join pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain experts in Maplewood, MO. If what’s causing your joint pain requires surgery, we can be part of your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

We evaluate each Maplewood, MO patients as an individual, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying reasons for and level of your joint pain, your age, how your pain affects your ability to work, and the lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. As we progress through our treatment, we’ll show you exercises you can do 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 cause more joint pain, immobility will only exacerbate your pain in the end. At Axes, our Maplewood, MO physical and occupational therapists are pros; we know how to help you increase mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also teach you how to reduce strain on joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, we may use the following treatments in Maplewood, 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 Maplewood, 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 Maplewood, 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 licensed Maplewood, MO occupational and physical therapists is dedicated 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 Maplewood, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.