Arthritis Treatment Festus, MO

Arthritis Treatment Festus, MO. Living with arthritis in Festus, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, 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. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Festus, 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 positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients in the Festus, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Festus, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from 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 the statistics on their own don’t paint a complete picture where your own experience is concerned. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Festus, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Festus, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. When you entrust Axes for your Festus, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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 are grouped under the categorization arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Festus, MO for you depends in part on getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding 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, mechanics, and prognoses of each condition, our Festus, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Festus, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Festus, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends using what is known as the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Festus, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Festus, 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 important thing is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Festus, 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 damage, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based on many factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any 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 risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Festus, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Festus, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Festus, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field based in movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Festus, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Festus, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Festus, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets 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 appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Festus, MO physical therapist may employ in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, education is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around the house to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Festus, 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, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Festus, 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 Festus, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to support my Festus, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Festus, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, which includes adhering to home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Festus, 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 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 Festus, MO

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