Arthritis Treatment Green Park, MO

Arthritis Treatment Green Park, MO. Living with arthritis in Green Park, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Green Park, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Green Park, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Green Park, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 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 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 Green Park, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Green Park, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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 Green Park, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

According to the CDC, there are 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Green Park, MO for you depends in part on getting 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 becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Green Park, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with various forms of arthritis in the Green Park, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an average of 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the 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 Green Park, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as whole-body weakness 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, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Green Park, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to find out that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Green Park, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize the progress of your disease and maximize your quality of life.

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 after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Green Park, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on various factors, including the type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. 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, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Green Park, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques 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 is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Green Park, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Green Park, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Green Park, 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 Green Park, MO, you will work with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for Green Park, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets 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 appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Green Park, MO physical therapist will employ in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, education is an equally important piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

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

The Green Park, 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 treat symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Green Park, 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

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 Green Park, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Green Park, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Green Park, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, including following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Green Park, 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
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home environment
Use heat applications
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 Green Park, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Green Park, MO area. 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.