Arthritis Treatment Bismarck, MO

Arthritis Treatment Bismarck, MO. Living with arthritis in Bismarck, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, 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 how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Bismarck, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients in the Bismarck, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore 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 Bismarck, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 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 — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. After neck and back problems and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, arthritis is the third most common cause of disability for working-age adults in the US.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Bismarck, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, MO, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

According to the CDC, there are over 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 Bismarck, MO for you requires getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding 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 becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Bismarck, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the Bismarck, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million people in the US. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. 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. Patients in Bismarck, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.

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 reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Bismarck, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you could be living with permanent joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Bismarck, 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. 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 act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Bismarck, 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 slowing down permanent damage, increasing your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like 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 benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Bismarck, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on therapies as well as education, home exercises, 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 usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Bismarck, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Bismarck, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve your quality of life by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Bismarck, MO physical therapists treat patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Bismarck, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Bismarck, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your environment to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Bismarck, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, education is an equally important part of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around your home to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Bismarck, 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate 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 patients are able to enjoy a number of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Bismarck, 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

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating 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 Bismarck, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Bismarck, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, which includes adhering to home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Bismarck, 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:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
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 Bismarck, MO

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