Joint Pain in Maryland Heights, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Maryland Heights, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or had an awkward fall, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to develop a treatment plan that has been demonstrated to be successful that is personalized specifically for you to help significantly assuage your pain. Our practice based on giving you, the client, an extraordinary experience. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to get dressed without pain, get in touch with us us online or find the nearest location for you.

Joint pain is limiting for many Maryland Heights, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated one in four adults suffer from joint pain. While it can be severely debilitating, meaningful relief is attainable. You should always 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 for a complimentary injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Maryland Heights, MO Physical Therapy

The human body has hundreds of joints, but they all attach bones together. There are three classes of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, such as the joints in your cranium.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints provide partial movement, such as the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six classifications of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotary movement around a single axis
   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 greatest degree of movement and including rotational mobility

A human adult has 206 bones which are bridged by almost 400 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — This 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 lowers friction when you move your joints.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of firm connective tissue that connect two bones together, do not allow them to move unnaturally, 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 and elastic tissue that attaches your bones to the muscles that control their movement.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs lining different parts of the joint that act as a shock absorber and reduce friction when you move your joints.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and is filled with the synovial fluid.

Our brain sends us pain signals when we are injured to let us know that something is wrong. When you feel joint pain, that means some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as intended Your brain wants you to know it needs attention. Evidence-based physical therapy in Maryland Heights, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

What Leads to Joint Pain | Maryland Heights, MO Physical Therapy

There are a number of conditions that can lead to persistent joint pain. Those conditions differ considerably in severity; some cannot be cured but pain can be mitigated. In other cases joints can be made healthy in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require a smart treatment plan and the stewardship of a licensed physical and occupational therapist in Maryland Heights, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term that includes several different diagnoses. Most people with arthritis have what is called osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones degenerates. It typically occurs with old age, repeated trauma, or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune conditions wherein your immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissue, usually in the joints.

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. Physical therapy is an aspect of arthritis treatment along with medications, supplements, and topical treatments. The Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your doctor to implement 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 reduce the friction between parts of the joint. It can be the result of overuse, injury, repeated motions, or, in some rare cases, 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 future flare-ups and maintain strength and flexibility in the joint. Taking precautions and following a treatment plan can cure bursitis 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 is caused by actions that require repetitive motions such as gardening. is also a common sports injury. It usually occur in the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will gently strengthen and lengthen the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon tears, it may require surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains transpire when a ligament is stretched or torn due to falling, buckling, or direct force to the joint. Tears occur when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While the recovery time for a sprain is usually a few weeks, the recovery time is much longer with tears. Tears like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause significant pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform daily tasks.

If joint pain is affecting your daily life, come to Axes for one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain experts in Maryland Heights, MO. If a physician recommends surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

We assess each Maryland Heights, MO clients as an individual, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the underlying conditions and severity of your joint pain, your age, your occupational needs, and the lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. 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 it may seem natural to avoid movements that cause joint pain, the truth is that by not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Maryland Heights, 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 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, 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 experienced Maryland Heights, 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. Everything we do has been backed by science. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Maryland Heights, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.