Arthritis Treatment Dellwood, MO

Arthritis Treatment Dellwood, MO. Living with arthritis in Dellwood, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Dellwood, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Dellwood, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Dellwood, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have some 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. 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. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Dellwood, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Dellwood, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Dellwood, MO, you are assigned a 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

According to the CDC, there are more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Dellwood, MO for you requires receiving 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 understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Dellwood, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with many types of arthritis in the Dellwood, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While it presents differently in different people, symptoms commonly 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.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Dellwood, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works 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 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 reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Dellwood, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting 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 Dellwood, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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. You may have arthritis due to a genetic trait, an injury, autoimmune reaction, or infection. Regardless of the cause, the important thing is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Dellwood, 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 reducing permanent joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment option for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the level of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. Your Dellwood, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Dellwood, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing surgery. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Dellwood, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. The Dellwood, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy 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 conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO, you will work with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Dellwood, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design an individualized 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 ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Dellwood, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, education is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will work with you to help you:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Dellwood, 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 treat symptoms or stunt 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 offers a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Dellwood, MO, 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 enjoy life and do the activities that are important to you. 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 Dellwood, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Dellwood, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, including adhering to home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Dellwood, 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 space
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 Dellwood, MO

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