Joint Pain in Washington, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is preventing you from living the life you want to, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT is here to get you back to the activities in Washington, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, were diagnosed with a condition, or sustained an injury, we’ll work in concert with you as a team to implement an evidence-based treatment plan that is unique to you to help you return to your pain-free life. Our practice is client-centered, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to dominating your local kickball league, or just want to stand up and sit down without pain, contact us online or find the closest location for you.

Joint pain affects many Washington, MO residents. In the U.S., about one in four adults live with joint pain. While it can be severely restrictive, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. It’s a good idea to consult with a physician to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you. While no therapy is guaranteed to make everyone 100% pain free, physical therapy has countless people with joint pain get back to the activities they love. Contact Axes for for a no-obligation injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Washington, MO Physical Therapy

There are many different kinds of joints in human anatomy, but they all join bones together. There are three categories of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints are immovable, but provide strong connections between adjacent bones, for example the gomphoses in your head.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints provide partial movement, for example the vertebrae in the spine.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your shoulder knee. There are six classifications of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around one point
   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 greatest freedom of movement and including rotational mobility

One fully grown, the human body has 206 bones which are affixed 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. 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 durable connective tissue that connect bone to bone, hold them in place, and help you move properly. 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 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 your tendons, ligaments, and muscles glide over your bones.
• 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 notify us that something is wrong. When you experience joint pain, that means some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as intended Your brain wants you to do something about it. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Washington, MO is often the best way to treat joint pain.

Common Causes of Joint Pain | Washington, MO Physical Therapy

Joint pain can occur because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions can range in severity; some are not totally curable but meaningful relief is possible. In other cases joints can be made healthy 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 Washington, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can result in joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Most people with arthritis have what is called 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 are also associated causes.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune diseases wherein your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells, usually in the joints.

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. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Washington, MO physical therapists at Axes will work directly with you and your physician to put together a customized 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, a blow to the joint, repeated motions, or, rarely, infection. It most commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Effective physical therapy treatments along with patient education can go a long way in preventing future trauma and maintain strength and flexibility in the joint. Taking precautions and following a treatment plan can cure bursitis in a few weeks.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis causes joint pain when the tendons around the joint become swollen or irritated. It is caused by tasks that require repetitive motions such as in manual labor. is also a common sports injury. Most cases of tendinitis involve the shoulders, heels, elbows, and knees. Physical therapy will lightly strengthen and elongate the tendon to prevent 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 direct trauma to the area. Tears happen 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 such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be incredibly painful and profoundly impact your ability to perform daily tasks.

If you have joint pain that won’t go away, come to Axes for one of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain specialists in Washington, 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 Washington, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain

All of our Washington, MO clients are unique, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the underlying conditions 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 your physical therapy, 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 our natural instinct is to avoid movements that cause joint pain, immobility will only exacerbate your symptoms in the end. At Axes, our Washington, 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 help you learn how to lessen the burden put on your joints with posture correction and other patient education.

Depending on the specifics of your joint pain, we may use the following treatments in Washington, MO:

• 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 Washington, 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 Washington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

While joint pain, and other issues that require physical therapy, is a physical burden, it can also impact us emotionally by keeping us away from the things we enjoy. At Axes PT, our entire team of knowledgeable Washington, 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. All of our treatments have been proven to be effective. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Washington, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.