Arthritis Treatment Arnold, MO

Arthritis Treatment Arnold, MO. Living with arthritis in Arnold, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Arnold, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in Arnold, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Arnold, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. That makes arthritis the third leading cause of disability among working-age adults, after neck and back problems and mental health conditions like depression.

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 Arnold, MO area, you are more than a number. Our team of Arnold, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.

Types of Arthritis

According to the CDC, there are over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Arnold, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each disease, our Arnold, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients living with various types of arthritis in the Arnold, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an average of 27 million individuals in the United States. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Arnold, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends using what is known as the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in Arnold, MO for your arthritis.

Under the umbrella of arthritis, there are a wide variety of conditions that have many different causes. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the important thing after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Arnold, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — minimizing permanent damage, maintaining your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend on various factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the level of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Arnold, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Arnold, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Arnold, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Arnold, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Arnold, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Arnold, MO physical therapist will use to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important part of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in 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 the house to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Arnold, 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:

What are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment, you can expect any of the benefits listed below:

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

With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating 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 Arnold, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to supplement my Arnold, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Arnold, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
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 Arnold, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Arnold, 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.