Joint Pain in Park Hills, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Park Hills, MO you love the most. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or had an awkward fall, we’ll work with you as a team to develop a proven treatment plan that is catered exactly to you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice based on giving you, the client, an extraordinary experience. If you want to get back to dominating your local tennis league, or just want to go up and down the stairs without pain, reach out to us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain is limiting for many Park Hills, MO residents. In the U.S., approximately a quarter of adults experience joint pain. While it can be considerably restrictive, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. You should always see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no therapy will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for patients with joint pain. Contact Axes for for a free injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Park Hills, MO Physical Therapy

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

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, help provide stability by holding bonds together, for instance the sutures in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, for example the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six classes of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around a single point
   2. Plane or gliding, which allows movement up and down, left and right, and diagonally
   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 the highest freedom 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 covers the surface of the joint. Its purpose is to act as a shock absorber.
• Synovial membrane — This membrane lines the joint cavity synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It makes synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that lowers friction between the joint and bone.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable 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 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 the different parts of a joint interact with each other.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and is filled with the synovial fluid.

We feel pain because our brain is trying to tell us that we are injured.. 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. Evidence-based physical therapy in Park Hills, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

Common Causes of Joint Pain | Park Hills, MO Physical Therapy

There are countless factors that can lead to crippling joint pain. Those conditions can range in severity; some are not entirely curable but meaningful relief is possible. In other cases joints can be made healthy in less than a month. All of them, however, require a smart treatment plan and the stewardship of a professional physical and occupational therapist in Park Hills, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can cause joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Most people with arthritis suffer from osteoarthritis, which degenerative joint disease characterized by the wearing down of the cartilage between bones. 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 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 allowing the joint to move with greater ease. Physical therapy is an aspect of arthritis treatment along with medications, supplements, and topical treatments. The Park Hills, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your physician to come up with a holistic treatment plan with the objective of getting you back to the things you enjoy.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes joint pain when the bursae become inflamed and cannot protect the joint as well when it’s moved. It can be because of overuse, a blow to the joint, repeated movements, or, in some rare cases, infection. It most commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe physical therapy treatments along with patient education can help prevent further trauma and rebuild strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. 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 inflamed or damaged. It is caused by actions involving repetitive motions such as gardening. It can also occur a sudden sports injury. Most cases of tendinitis involve the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will lightly strengthen and lengthen the tendon to reduce the risk of further injuries. If a tendon tears, a physician may advise surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains cause joint pain when a ligament is extended or torn because of falling, landing awkwardly, or a blow to the joint. 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 joint pain is keeping you from the activities you love, come to Axes for one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain

We assess each Park Hills, MO patients as an individual, so we’ll cater your treatment based on the underlying conditions and degree of your joint pain, your age, your occupational needs, and the your desired activity level. As we progress through your rehabilitation, 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 the best possible range of motion.

While most of us are hesitant to try and do anything that might lead to more joint pain, immobility will only aggravate your pain in the end. At Axes, our Park Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists are pros; we will help you enhance mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also show you how to lessen the burden put on 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 Park Hills, MO:

• 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 Park Hills, MO:

• Shoulder Pain Treatment
• Back Pain Treatment
• 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

Joint Pain Management in Park Hills, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and any kind of pain, 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 Park Hills, MO occupational and physical therapists is committed to seeing you be able to take part in the activities you love. All of our treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to you, with the only interest being getting you a positive patient outcome. Everything we do has been backed by science. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Park Hills, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.