Arthritis Treatment Gray Summit, MO

Arthritis Treatment Gray Summit, MO. Living with arthritis in Gray Summit, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a treatment plan that works for you. 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 Gray Summit, 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 poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in Gray Summit, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Gray Summit, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — 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.

The numbers illustrate the 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 Gray Summit, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Gray Summit, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Gray Summit, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, 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

According to the CDC, there are 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 in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Gray Summit, MO for you requires receiving an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our Gray Summit, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Gray Summit, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million people in the US. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

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 Gray Summit, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the 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 not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Gray Summit, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

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 discover that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Gray Summit, MO as soon as possible 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 for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Gray Summit, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based primarily on the kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, 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 largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. Your Gray Summit, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your doctors and other members of your Gray Summit, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated complications of receiving surgery. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Gray Summit, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. The Gray Summit, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Gray Summit, MO, you will work with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Gray Summit, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop a personalized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental 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 Gray Summit, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Gray Summit, 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 eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Gray Summit, 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

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating 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 Gray Summit, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my Gray Summit, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Gray Summit, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, including adhering to home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Gray Summit, 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:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home environment
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 Gray Summit, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Gray Summit, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician 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.