Arthritis Treatment Bridgeton, MO

Arthritis Treatment Bridgeton, MO. Living with arthritis in Bridgeton, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound 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 Bridgeton, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, MO: A Background on 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 — 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.

The numbers illustrate the reach arthritis has, but , but the statistics on their own don’t paint a complete picture where your own experience is concerned. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Bridgeton, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Bridgeton, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Bridgeton, 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

The CDC identifies in excess of one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Bridgeton, MO for you requires receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more widespread than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique causes, mechanics, and prognoses of each disease, our Bridgeton, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Bridgeton, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Medical professionals 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 Bridgeton, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In 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 symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other 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 a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Bridgeton, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Bridgeton, MO as soon as possible 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 important thing is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Bridgeton, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Bridgeton, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques in addition to education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Bridgeton, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential 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 will likely include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Bridgeton, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Bridgeton, MO physical therapists improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Bridgeton, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that addresses your specific 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, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the hands-on care your Bridgeton, MO physical therapist may use in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical 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:

Correct 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
Change your diet, if necessary

The Bridgeton, 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 expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Bridgeton, MO, 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 Bridgeton, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my Bridgeton, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Bridgeton, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Bridgeton, 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
Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home environment
Apply heat
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 Bridgeton, MO

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