Joint Pain in Wickes, 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 Wickes, MO you love the most. Whether you have chronic pain, recently received a diagnosis, or had an awkward fall, we’ll work in concert with you as a team to create an evidence-based treatment plan that is personalized specifically for you to help find significant pain relief. 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 go up and down the stairs without pain, contact us online or find the nearest location for you.

Joint pain affects many Wickes, MO residents. In the U.S., an estimated one in four adults suffer from joint pain. While it can be significantly restrictive, meaningful relief is attainable. You should always see a doctor before deciding on physical therapy. While no remedy is 100% effective for 100% of patients, physical therapy has countless people with joint pain improve their daily lives. Contact Axes for for a no-obligation injury screening and to be referred to a physician.

Understanding Joint Pain | Wickes, MO Physical Therapy

The human body has hundreds of joints, but they all work to connect bones together. There are three categories of joints:

1. Synarthrosis joints allow for no movement, but provide strong connections between adjacent bones, for instance the sutures in your skull.
2. Amphiarthrosis joints provide partial movement, such as the distal joint between the tibia and fibula.
3. Diarthrosis joints, also known as synovial joints, permit a wide range of movement. Examples are your wrist knee. There are six classifications of synovial joints:
   1. Pivot, which allows rotation around one point
   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 side to side and circular movements
   5. Saddle, which also allow for side to side 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 fastened by 360 joints. The majority of them are synovial joints, which are made up of:

• Cartilage — Cartilage is a connective tissue that is firm and flexible and sits on the ends of 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 makes synovial fluid, a thick, lubricating egg white-like substance that reduces friction when you move your joints.
• Ligaments — Ligaments are bands of tough and elastic tissue that connect bone to bone 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 connective tissue 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 shock absorber and reduce friction between the moving parts of a joint.
• Joint Cavity — This is in the middle of the joint and holds the synovial fluid.

Our brain sends us pain signals when we are injured to tell us that something is wrong. When you feel joint pain, that means some part of the innerworkings of your joint are damaged and cannot function as intended Your brain wants you to be cautious and take steps to address the problem. Demonstrably effective physical therapy in Wickes, MO is often needed to address the issue.

What Leads to Joint Pain | Wickes, MO Physical Therapy

There are countless conditions that can lead to persistent joint pain. Those conditions can range 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 care of a experienced physical and occupational therapist in Wickes, MO like those at Axes. The most common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause joint pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and degenerative joint disease characterized by the wearing down of the cartilage between bones. It generally occurs with old age, repeated trauma, or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune disorders that attack the healthy tissues in your body.

While there is no cure for arthritis, improved mobility and reduced pain can be achieved with effective physical therapy by enhancing flexibility and strengthening the muscles around the joint. In addition to physical therapy, treatment for arthritis often includes medication and, in some cases, surgery. The Wickes, MO physical therapists at Axes will form a team with you and your doctor to put together a customized treatment plan with the objective of bringing piece and mobility back to your everyday life.

Bursitis

Bursitis leads to joint pain when the bursae become inflamed and cannot cushion the joint as well. It can be because of overuse, trauma, repeated motions, or, in some rare cases, infection. The majority of bursitis cases involve 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 damaged. It is caused by activities that require repetitive motions such as in manual labor. 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 lengthen the tendon to reduce the risk of further injuries. If a tendon is ruptured, you may need surgery.

Sprains and Tears

Sprains transpire when a ligament is extended or torn because of falling, stepping on uneven ground, or direct trauma to the joint. Tears occur when a ligament, tendon, or muscle is ripped. While after most sprains you can be back to normal in a few weeks, the recovery time is much longer with tears. Tears like rotator cuff tears and ACL tears can cause immense pain and profoundly impact your ability to perform daily activities.

If you have joint pain that won’t go away, take advantage of our free injury screenings with one of our joint pain professionals in Wickes, MO. If a physician tells you you need surgery, we can be part of your pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation plan.

How Physical Therapy in Wickes, MO Can Help Your Joint Pain

We evaluate each Wickes, MO clients as an individual, so your specific treatment plan will be based on the underlying reasons for and severity of your joint pain, your age, what you do for work, 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 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 Wickes, 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 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 Wickes, 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 Wickes, 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 Wickes, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

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