Joint Pain in Sappington, MO. If your ability to enjoy a pain-free life is jeopardized by joint pain, the knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Sappington, MO you love the most. Whether you suffer from chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, 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 unique to you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice focuses on you, the client, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. 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 most convenient location for you.
Joint pain is a problem for many Sappington, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated one in four adults experience joint pain. While it can be severely limiting, meaningful relief is possible. You should always consult with a doctor to see if physical therapy is right for you. While no therapy will work for everyone all the time, physical therapy has shown widespread success for clients with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and customized treatment in Sappington, MO.
Understanding Joint Pain | Sappington, 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:
- Synarthrosis joints are immovable, but provide strong connections between adjacent bones, for example the bones in your cranium.
- Amphiarthrosis joints provide partial movement, for example the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
- Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your ankle knee. There are six classes of diarthrosis joints:
- Pivot, which allows rotary movement around a single axis
- Plane or gliding, which allows bones to glide over each other
- Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
- Condyloid, which allows flexion, extension, and circular motions
- Saddle, which also allow for sideways and circular movements
- Ball-and-socket joints allow any of the movements the human body can naturally make
A human adult has 206 bones which are connected 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 many parts of the inside of synovial joints and tendon sheaths. It produces synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that lowers friction between the cartilage.
- Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable connective tissue that connect bone to bone, do not allow them to move unnaturally, and help you move properly. 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 connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
- Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs lining different parts of the joint that act as a shock absorber 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 feel joint pain, that means parts of the joint are injured, inflamed, or otherwise damaged to the extent that it affects the function of your joint Your brain wants you to know it needs attention. Proven physical therapy in Sappington, MO is often get your brain to quite down and stop sending you pain signals.
Common Causes of Joint Pain | Sappington, MO Physical Therapy
There are a number of factors that can cause persistent joint pain. Those conditions differ considerably in severity; some cannot be cured but meaningful relief is possible. In other cases we can be pain-free with full mobility in just a few weeks. All of them, however, require a sound treatment plan and the stewardship of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Sappington, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes several different diagnoses. 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, pain and other symptoms can be managed with safe and practical physical therapy by allowing the joint to move with greater ease. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Sappington, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your physician to create 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 the result of overuse, injury, repeated movements, or, in some rare cases, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe physical therapy treatments along with patient education can help prevent future trauma and rebuild strength and flexibility in the joint. 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 swollen or injured. It can happen with activities involving repetitive motions such as gardening. is also a common sports injury. It usually occur 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, it may require surgery.
Sprains and Tears
Sprains cause joint pain when a ligament is stretched or torn as a result of twisting, stepping on uneven ground, or direct force to the joint. Tears are when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While the recovery time for a sprain is usually a few weeks, tears often require many months to recover from. Tears such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause significant pain and make basic activities difficult if not impossible.
If joint pain is keeping you from the activities you love, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Sappington, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.
How Physical Therapy in Sappington, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain
We evaluate each Sappington, MO clients 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 lifestyle you want to get back to or achieve. As we progress through your physical therapy, 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 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 Sappington, MO physical and occupational therapists are pros; we know how to help you increase mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also help you learn how to better protect your joints with posture correction and other techniques.
Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, your treatment plan in Sappington, MO may include:
- Dry Needling
- Work Rehabilitation
- Injury Prevention
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Kineseo Taping®
- Blood Flow Restriction Training
Take a look at the links below to see what other services we offer in Sappington, 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 Sappington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
While joint pain, and any kind of pain, can take a physical toll, it can also impact us mentally by not letting us to what makes us happy in life. At Axes PT, every one of our professional Sappington, MO occupational and physical therapists is committed 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 proven to be effective. If you’re finally ready to be free of your joint pain in Sappington, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.
