Arthritis Treatment Antonia, MO

Arthritis Treatment Antonia, MO. Living with arthritis in Antonia, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Antonia, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Antonia, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Antonia, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. After neck and back problems and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, arthritis is the third most common cause of disability for working-age adults in the US.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, but the statistics on their own don’t paint a complete picture where your own experience is concerned. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Antonia, MO area, you are more than a number. Our team of Antonia, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Antonia, MO, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.

Types of Arthritis

According to the CDC, there are more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Antonia, MO for you requires getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each disease, our Antonia, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Antonia, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Antonia, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Antonia, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of processing being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Antonia, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize your joint damage and maximize your quality of life.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and many different causes. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the important thing is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Antonia, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — minimizing joint damage, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend on various factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. Your Antonia, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your doctors and other members of your Antonia, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Antonia, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Antonia, MO physical therapists improve the lives of patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO, you will work with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Antonia, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the various modalities your Antonia, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical part of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around your home to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Antonia, MO physical and occupational therapists of Axes are equipped to help anyone manage chronic conditions, heal from injuries, prevent injuries and improve overall movement health. Learn more about a few of our services and capabilities, such as:

How can physical therapy arthritis treatment help me?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Antonia, MO, you can expect any of the following benefits:

Increased range of motion
Reduced stiffness
Preserved bone strength
Increased joint support
Improved fitness
Weight loss
Superior balance and posture
Other benefits such as more energy, better mental health, and better sleep

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating your symptoms and preserving your ability to enjoy life and do the activities that are important to you. Start managing your arthritis and improving your overall movement health and quality of life with the gentle, personalized, evidence-backed care you get when you come to Axes Physical Therapy for your Antonia, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Antonia, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Antonia, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes adhering to home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Antonia, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home environment
Apply heat
Quit smoking

One of the best things anyone with arthritis can do for themselves is to stay active. Physical therapy helps you optimize your efforts by prescribing the best home exercises and teaching you the proper technique to protect your joints. If you historically live an inactive lifestyle, remember to start slow and be patient. Protect your joints from undue stress by performing only low-impact exercises. Consult with your physical or occupational therapist to make sure you have the techniques and exercises that are safe and effective for arthritis treatment.

Begin Arthritis Treatment in Antonia, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Antonia, MO area. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist with expertise in movement and joint health and has clinical experience treating diseases like yours. Our network of local, practitioner-owned physical therapy clinics is here to provide you with personalized, one-on-one care for your arthritis. Visit the location nearest you today or contact us now to speak to a doctor about your arthritis treatment needs or to schedule your first appointment. When it comes to treating your arthritis, there is no time to waste. Contact Axes Physical Therapy today.