Arthritis Treatment Farmington, MO

Arthritis Treatment Farmington, MO. Living with arthritis in Farmington, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Farmington, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Farmington, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Farmington, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Farmington, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of Farmington, 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 Farmington, MO, you are assigned a 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 are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Farmington, MO for you requires receiving 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 widespread than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our Farmington, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with various types of arthritis in the Farmington, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals 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 Farmington, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system 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 right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, 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. Following the treat-to-target method, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Farmington, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you may 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 Farmington, MO for your arthritis.

Under the umbrella of arthritis, there are a wide variety of conditions that have many different causes. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the key after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Farmington, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing permanent joint degeneration, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on various factors, including the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more 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). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Farmington, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis 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 Farmington, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential complications of receiving a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat 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 Farmington, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Farmington, MO physical therapists treat patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Farmington, MO, you will work with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for Farmington, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the hands-on care your Farmington, MO physical therapist may use to treat 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 assist you in accomplishing the following:

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

The Farmington, 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, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to eliminate symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Farmington, MO, 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

With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating 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 Farmington, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Farmington, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, including adhering to home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Farmington, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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 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 Farmington, MO

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