Arthritis Treatment Des Peres, MO

Arthritis Treatment Des Peres, MO. Living with arthritis in Des Peres, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Des Peres, MO here, or reach out to 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 capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Des Peres, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Des Peres, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 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.

The numbers illustrate the reach arthritis has, but , but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Des Peres, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Des Peres, MO area have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Des Peres, MO, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of 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 Des Peres, MO for you requires receiving a timely and 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 widespread than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique causes, trajectory, and prognoses of each condition, our Des Peres, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with many forms of arthritis in the Des Peres, 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, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the 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 Des Peres, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have 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 works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms not directly related to the joint, 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, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Des Peres, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you could be living with permanent 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 Des Peres, 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 key is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Des Peres, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent joint degeneration, improving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The right arthritis treatment method for you will depend primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Des Peres, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies as well as education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Des Peres, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated complications of receiving surgery. Surgeries 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 Des Peres, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Des Peres, 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 conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Des Peres, MO, you will work with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Des Peres, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the most promising 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.

In addition to the various modalities your Des Peres, MO physical therapist may employ to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important piece of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

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

The Des Peres, 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 stunt the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Des Peres, MO arthritis treatment, you can expect any of 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 Des Peres, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Des Peres, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Des Peres, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
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 Des Peres, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Des Peres, 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.