Joint Pain in Sunset Hills, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is making your life more painful then it used to be, the professional physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Sunset Hills, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or had an awkward fall, we’ll work with you as a team to create an evidence-based treatment plan that is catered exactly to you to help considerably assuage your pain. Our practice based on giving you, the client, a remarkable experience. If you want to get back to dominating your local pickleball league, or just want to tie your shoes without pain, reach out to us us online or find the most convenient location for you.

Joint pain is all too common for Sunset Hills, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated 25% of adults experience joint pain. While it can be significantly debilitating, meaningful relief is attainable. It is important to see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no treatment will work for everyone all the time, 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 | Sunset 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 allow for no movement, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, for instance the bones in your head.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints are partially moveable, for example the vertebrae in the back.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, permit a wide range of mobility. Examples are your shoulder knee. There are six classes of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which permits rotary movement around a single axis
   2. Plane or gliding, which permits movement up and down, left and right, and diagonally
   3. Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
   4. Condyloid, which allows flexion, extension, and circular motions
   5. Saddle, which also allow for sideways and circular movements
   6. Ball-and-socket joints allow the greatest degree of movement and including rotational mobility

One fully grown, the human body has 206 bones which are bridged by almost 400 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 on the ends of the bones. It allows for smooth movement and cushions the bone against each other.
• 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 when bones glide over each other.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of firm connective tissue that connect two bones together and provide stability. For example, the the calcaneofibular ligament on the outside of your ankle prevents your foot from rolling inwards.
• Tendons — These are also durable similar in substance to ligaments that attaches your bones to the muscles that control their movement.
• Bursae — These are fluid-filled sacs between bones and surrounding tissues 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.

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 the joint cannot function properly Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Evidence-based physical therapy in Sunset Hills, MO is often needed to address the issue.

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

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions can range in severity; some cannot be cured but pain can be alleviated. Other times joints can be made healthy in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require an optimal treatment plan and the care of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Sunset Hills, 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. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and degenerative joint disease characterized by the wearing down of the cartilage at the end of your 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 conditions that attack the healthy tissues in your body.

While as far as modern medicine goes arthritis cannot be cured, pain and stiffness can be managed with safe and practical 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 Sunset Hills, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your physician to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes joint pain when the bursae become inflamed and cannot reduce the friction between parts of the joint. It can be because of overuse, trauma, repeated movements, or, uncommonly, 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 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 month.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be a joint pain culprit when the tendons connecting the bones and muscles become swollen or injured. It can happen with actions involving repetitive motions such as pitching in baseball. It can also occur a sudden sports injury. Most cases of tendinitis involve the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will slowly strengthen and elongate the tendon to make further injuries less likely. If a tendon becomes torn, you may need surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn as a result of twisting, stepping on uneven ground, 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, the recovery time is much longer with tears. Tears like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be extremely painful and make daily tasks challenging if not impossible.

If you have persistent join pain, consider one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Sunset Hills, MO. If what’s causing your joint pain requires surgery, we’ll work with you to create a personalized pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

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

All of our Sunset Hills, MO patients are unique, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the root causes and level of your joint pain, how old you are, your occupational needs, and the your desired activity level. As we progress through our treatment, we’ll show you exercises you can perform at home safely, 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 lead to more joint pain, immobility will only worsen your pain in the end. At Axes, our Sunset Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists know what they’re doing; we know how to help you increase mobility and strength without causing further damage. We can also show you how to reduce strain on joints with posture correction and other techniques.

Depending on you, your joint pain, and your needs, we may use the following treatments in Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, 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 not letting us to what makes us happy in life. At Axes PT, every one of our knowledgeable Sunset Hills, 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 confirmed with studies. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Sunset Hills, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.