Arthritis Treatment Defiance, MO

Arthritis Treatment Defiance, MO. Living with arthritis in Defiance, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Defiance, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals living with arthritis in Defiance, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Defiance, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from 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. 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 Defiance, MO, you are more than a number. Our team of Defiance, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. When you entrust Axes for your Defiance, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies in excess of 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. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Defiance, 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. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each disease, our Defiance, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients who have been diagnosed with many types of arthritis in the Defiance, MO area.

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

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 Defiance, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s 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 attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite 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, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Defiance, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting 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. Do not put off getting treatment in Defiance, MO 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 by finding the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Defiance, 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, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, 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 level of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are really 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 is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Defiance, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Defiance, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgeries for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Defiance, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Defiance, 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 Defiance, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Defiance, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create 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 ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Defiance, MO physical therapist may employ in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, 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 work with you to help you:

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

The Defiance, 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 can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Defiance, 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

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 Defiance, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Defiance, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, including adhering to exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Defiance, 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 space
Use heat applications
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 Defiance, MO

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