Arthritis Treatment Dardenne Prairie, MO

Arthritis Treatment Dardenne Prairie, MO. Living with arthritis in Dardenne Prairie, 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Dardenne Prairie, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Dardenne Prairie, MO: A Background on Arthritis

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

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 Dardenne Prairie, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of Dardenne Prairie, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Dardenne Prairie, MO for you requires receiving an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique causes, mechanics, and outlook of each condition, our Dardenne Prairie, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients with many types of arthritis in the Dardenne Prairie, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. 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 highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Dardenne Prairie, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as fevers and low energy.

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 reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Dardenne Prairie, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

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 discover that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Dardenne Prairie, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.

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 key after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Dardenne Prairie, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward slowing down joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible side effects. Some of these medications are largely only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Dardenne Prairie, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Dardenne Prairie, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated complications of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Dardenne Prairie, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Dardenne Prairie, MO physical therapists improve the lives of 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Dardenne Prairie, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical 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 maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Dardenne Prairie, MO physical therapist will use to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around your home to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Dardenne Prairie, 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 slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ approach based 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO arthritis treatment, you may experience 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Dardenne Prairie, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Dardenne Prairie, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Dardenne Prairie, 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:

Stay 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
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 Dardenne Prairie, MO

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