Arthritis Treatment Florissant, MO

Arthritis Treatment Florissant, MO. Living with arthritis in Florissant, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Florissant, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Florissant, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore 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 Florissant, MO: A Background on 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 — 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.

The count tells us how deeply arthritis affects our communities reach arthritis has, but , 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 Florissant, MO, you are more than a number. Our team of Florissant, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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 Florissant, MO, you are assigned a personal, dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Florissant, MO for you depends in part on getting 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 becoming experts on the unique causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Florissant, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients with various types of arthritis in the Florissant, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching approximately 27 million Americans alone. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. 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. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Florissant, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In 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. Patients may experience other symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as fevers and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Florissant, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you could be living with permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Florissant, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the important thing after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Florissant, 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 minimizing joint damage, maintaining your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend on various factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and possible side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. Your Florissant, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual therapies in addition to education, home exercises, 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 treatment for arthritis is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Florissant, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential complications of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Florissant, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Florissant, MO physical therapists improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Florissant, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Florissant, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design an individualized arthritis treatment plan that addresses your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Florissant, MO physical therapist will employ in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important piece 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 adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Florissant, 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:

How can physical therapy arthritis treatment help me?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is 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 offers a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Florissant, 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

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 Florissant, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Florissant, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Florissant, 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
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 Florissant, MO

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