Arthritis Treatment Cottleville, MO

Arthritis Treatment Cottleville, MO. Living with arthritis in Cottleville, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, 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. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Cottleville, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Cottleville, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Cottleville, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a 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. That makes arthritis the third leading cause of disability among working-age adults, after neck and back problems and mental health conditions like depression.

The count tells us how deeply arthritis affects our communities reach arthritis has, but , 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 Cottleville, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Cottleville, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Cottleville, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own personal, 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 over 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Cottleville, MO for you depends in part on getting an accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more common than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our Cottleville, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients with various types of arthritis in the Cottleville, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Peer-reviewed sources 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 Cottleville, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms outside of joint inflammation, 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. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Cottleville, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you may be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Cottleville, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow the progress of your disease and maximize your quality of life.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and 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 with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Cottleville, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent joint degeneration, preserving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are largely only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Cottleville, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Cottleville, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential complications of receiving surgery. Surgical procedures to treat 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 Cottleville, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. The Cottleville, 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 medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Cottleville, MO, you will work with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Cottleville, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Cottleville, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Cottleville, 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Cottleville, MO, you may experience 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 be independent. 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 Cottleville, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Cottleville, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Cottleville, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home environment
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 Cottleville, MO

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