Arthritis Treatment Bonne Terre, MO

Arthritis Treatment Bonne Terre, MO. Living with arthritis in Bonne Terre, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. 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 Bonne Terre, MO here, or contact 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 hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in Bonne Terre, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Bonne Terre, 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 some type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 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. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Bonne Terre, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Bonne Terre, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Bonne Terre, MO, 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 more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Bonne Terre, 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 common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each condition, our Bonne Terre, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with many types of arthritis in the Bonne Terre, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Bonne Terre, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly 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 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, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Bonne Terre, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to be told 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 Bonne Terre, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize the progress of your disease 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 important thing after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Bonne Terre, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward minimizing permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment option for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from the use of NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Bonne Terre, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Bonne Terre, 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 undergoing 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 Bonne Terre, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve your quality of life by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. The Bonne Terre, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy 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 Bonne Terre, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Bonne Terre, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and communicate 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 home and lifestyle to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Bonne Terre, MO physical therapist may use to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around the house to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Bonne Terre, 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 treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Bonne Terre, 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 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 Bonne Terre, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Bonne Terre, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Bonne Terre, 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 environment
Use heat applications
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 Bonne Terre, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Bonne Terre, 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.