Joint Pain in Webster Groves, MO. If immobilizing joint pain is making your life more painful then it used to be, the experienced physical and occupational therapists of Axes PT will help you get back to the activities in Webster Groves, MO you love the most. Whether you suffer from chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or sustained an injury, we’ll form a dedicated team with you to implement an evidence-based treatment plan that is unique to you to help considerably assuage your pain. Our practice is client-centered, and achieving positive, pain-free outcomes. If you want to get back to dominating corners on the football field, or just want to stand up and sit down without pain, contact us online or find the nearest location for you.
Joint pain is a problem for many Webster Groves, MO residents. In the United States, about a quarter of adults suffer from joint pain. While it can be considerably limiting, there is a way to manage it and make it go away. It is important to consult with a physician to see if physical therapy is safe for you. While no treatment is 100% successful for 100% of clients, physical therapy has shown widespread success for people with joint pain. Contact Axes for safe, effective, and tailored treatment in Webster Groves, MO.
Understanding Joint Pain | Webster Groves, MO Physical Therapy
The human body has hundreds of joints, but they all join bones together. There are three classes of joints:
- Synarthrosis joints are immovable, meaning they connect bones but cannot move, for instance the gomphoses in your head.
- Amphiarthrosis joints are partially moveable, such as the vertebrae in the back.
- Diarthrosis joints, also called synovial joints, make most of the movements our bodies make possible. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six types of diarthrosis joints:
- Pivot, which allows rotation around a single point
- Plane or gliding, which permits bones to glide over each other
- Hinge, which permits bending and straightening in a single direction
- Condyloid, which allows side to side and circular movements
- Saddle, which permits the same movements as condyloid joints
- Ball-and-socket joints allow any of the movements the human body can naturally make
A human adult 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 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 produces synovial fluid, a thick liquid that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction when bones glide over each other.
- Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of durable and flexible tissue that connect two bones together, do not allow them to move unnaturally, 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 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 cushion and reduce friction when you move your joints.
- Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and holds 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 some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as they should Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Webster Groves, MO is often needed to address the issue.
Why We Feel Joint Pain | Webster Groves, MO Physical Therapy
There are countless conditions that can cause immobilizing joint pain. Those conditions differ significantly in severity; some cannot be cured but pain can be slowed down. In other cases joints can fully recover in a matter of weeks. All of them, however, require a smart treatment plan and the guidance of a knowledgeable physical and occupational therapist in Webster Groves, MO like those at Axes. Some conditions and events that can cause 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 occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber at the ends of your bones wears down. 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 that attack the healthy tissues in your body.
While we have yet to find a a cure for arthritis, pain and stiffness can be managed with safe and practical physical therapy by improving flexibility and building up strength in the muscles around the joint. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Webster Groves, MO physical therapists at Axes will in concert with you and your doctor to put together a personalized treatment plan aimed at getting you back to the things you enjoy.
Bursitis
Bursitis leads to joint pain when the fluid-filled sacs lining your joints become swollen and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be the result of overuse, a blow to the joint, repeated motions, or, uncommonly, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. Safe physical therapy treatments along with patient education can help prevent more bursitis down the road 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 inflamed or damaged. It is caused by activities involving repetitive motions such as landscaping work. It can also occur a sudden sports injury. It usually occur in 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 transpire when a ligament is stretched or torn due to twisting, buckling, or direct force to the area. Tears transpire 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 such as rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can be extremely painful and profoundly impact your ability to perform basic 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 professionals in Webster Groves, MO. If what’s causing your joint pain requires surgery, come to us for your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.
How Physical Therapy in Webster Groves, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain
We treat each Webster Groves, MO clients as an individual, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the root causes and level of your joint pain, your age, your occupational needs, and the activities you want to enjoy in the future. 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, in reality not moving affected joints the pain and stiffness may only get worse. At Axes, our Webster Groves, MO physical and occupational therapists know what they’re doing; we know how to help you enhance mobility and strength without causing further pain. 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
While joint pain, and any kind of pain, is a physical burden, it can also impact us emotionally by not letting us to what makes us happy in life. At Axes PT, our entire team of experienced Webster Groves, MO occupational and physical therapists is dedicated to getting you back to the activities you love. We believe the best way to get our patients back to optimal health and a pain-free life is by working with them as a team and implementing treatment plans tailored specifically to them. All of our techniques have been confirmed with studies. If you’ve been waiting to move on from your joint pain in Webster Groves, MO, contact Axes today or call the most convenient location for you.
