Arthritis Treatment Augusta, MO

Arthritis Treatment Augusta, MO. Living with arthritis in Augusta, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Augusta, MO here, or reach out to 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.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Augusta, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Augusta, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — around 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Augusta, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Augusta, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. When you entrust Axes for your Augusta, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies in excess of one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization 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. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Augusta, MO for you requires getting a timely and accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Augusta, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various types of arthritis in the Augusta, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million Americans alone. 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 cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Augusta, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as fevers and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Augusta, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of reacting to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you could be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Augusta, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize the progress of your disease 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 best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Augusta, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent damage, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Augusta, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies as well as education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Augusta, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and associated complications of receiving surgery. Surgeries for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Augusta, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field based in movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Augusta, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Augusta, MO, you will work with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Augusta, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting 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 Augusta, MO physical therapist will employ to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

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

The Augusta, 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 eliminate 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 patients are able to enjoy a number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Augusta, MO arthritis treatment, 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

With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating your symptoms and preserving your ability to perform daily tasks. 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 Augusta, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to support my Augusta, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your Augusta, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, including following through on home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Augusta, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home environment
Use heat applications
Quit smoking

One of the best things you can do for yourself if you are suffering from a form of arthritis 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 Augusta, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Augusta, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician who specializes 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.