Arthritis Treatment Ballwin, MO. Living with arthritis in Ballwin, 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 Ballwin, 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.

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

Arthritis Treatment Ballwin, MO: A Background on 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Ballwin, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Ballwin, 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Ballwin, MO, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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 over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Ballwin, MO for you depends in part on receiving 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 common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique causes, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Ballwin, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with various types of arthritis in the Ballwin, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms 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.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Ballwin, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms outside of joint pain and stiffness, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends using what is known as the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Ballwin, 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 can certainly be painful and difficult to find out that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Ballwin, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow your joint damage and maximize your quality of life.

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 key after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Ballwin, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — minimizing permanent degeneration, preserving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on the type 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. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
• Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. Your Ballwin, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for the majority of patients.
• Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your doctors and other members of your Ballwin, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Ballwin, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Ballwin, 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 medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Ballwin, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Ballwin, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the various modalities your Ballwin, MO physical therapist may use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize 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 arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

• Correct posture and gait
• Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
• Make changes around the house to make your daily activities easier
• Change your diet, if necessary

The Ballwin, 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:

• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention
• Mobility
• Knee Injury
• Joint Pain
• Sciatica
• Dry Needling
• ACL Tear
• Pain Management
• Rotator Cuff Tear

What are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to treat symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Ballwin, 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

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating your symptoms and preserving your ability to be independent. 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 Ballwin, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Ballwin, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Ballwin, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid stress
• Practice good posture
• Practice good sleep hygiene
• Make modifications to your home space
• 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 Ballwin, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Ballwin, MO area. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist 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.