Arthritis Treatment Clearwater, MO

Arthritis Treatment Clearwater, MO. Living with arthritis in Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Clearwater, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Clearwater, 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 type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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 the statistics on their own don’t paint a complete picture where your own experience is concerned. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Clearwater, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who knows how 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 more than one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Clearwater, MO for you depends in part on getting a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more common than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our Clearwater, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the Clearwater, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

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 Clearwater, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as fevers 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 a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Clearwater, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you may be living with permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Clearwater, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the important thing 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 strong arthritis treatment plan in Clearwater, 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 slowing down joint degeneration, preserving your mobility, and reducing pain.

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

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Clearwater, 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 approach that is tailored to the individual and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Clearwater, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO, you will work with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Clearwater, 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 rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

In addition to the hands-on care your Clearwater, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around the house to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Clearwater, 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 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 wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Clearwater, 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

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 Clearwater, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Clearwater, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, including following through on exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Clearwater, 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:

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

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