Arthritis Treatment Barnhart, MO

Arthritis Treatment Barnhart, MO. Living with arthritis in Barnhart, MO? After being diagnosed, you need 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 Barnhart, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you continue to live the life you want.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Barnhart, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Barnhart, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Barnhart, MO area, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Barnhart, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Barnhart, MO, you are assigned a personal, 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 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Barnhart, MO for you requires getting an accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more widespread than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each condition, our Barnhart, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the Barnhart, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness 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 Barnhart, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage 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 loss of appetite and fatigue.

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 reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Barnhart, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Barnhart, 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 important thing after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Barnhart, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on the type 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. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. Your Barnhart, 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 presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Barnhart, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Barnhart, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline 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. Our Barnhart, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Barnhart, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Barnhart, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that addresses your exact needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the hands-on care your Barnhart, MO physical therapist may use to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, education is another critical piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Barnhart, 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 can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Barnhart, 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 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 Barnhart, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Barnhart, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Barnhart, MO that are comfortable with and trust to follow their advice. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Reach and/or 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 Barnhart, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Barnhart, MO area. 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.