Arthritis Treatment Berkeley, MO

Arthritis Treatment Berkeley, MO. Living with arthritis in Berkeley, 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. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Berkeley, 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 poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Berkeley, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Berkeley, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a 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 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 Berkeley, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Berkeley, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Berkeley, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a 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. 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 Berkeley, 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 widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each condition, our Berkeley, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Berkeley, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, 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 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 Berkeley, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite and low energy.

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 one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Berkeley, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you may be living with permanent joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in Berkeley, MO for your arthritis.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and many different causes. You may have arthritis due to a genetic trait, an injury, autoimmune reaction, or infection. Regardless of the cause, the key after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Berkeley, 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 degeneration, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based on many factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features 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). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Berkeley, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Berkeley, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated complications of receiving surgery. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Berkeley, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with 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 Berkeley, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Berkeley, MO, you will work with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Berkeley, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Berkeley, MO physical therapist may use in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. 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
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Berkeley, 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 an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Berkeley, 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

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 Berkeley, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Berkeley, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Berkeley, 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 space
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 Berkeley, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Berkeley, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.