Arthritis Treatment Hawk Point, MO. Living with arthritis in Hawk Point, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a sound 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 Hawk Point, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.
As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients living with arthritis in Hawk Point, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover 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 Hawk Point, MO: An Introduction to 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 type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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 Hawk Point, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Hawk Point, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Hawk Point, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional 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 over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Hawk Point, MO for you depends in part on receiving an 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 discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each condition, our Hawk Point, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients with many forms of arthritis in the Hawk Point, MO area.
Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million people in the US. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, 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.
Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Hawk Point, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the 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 knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as whole-body weakness and low energy.
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, 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 Hawk Point, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.
Arthritis Treatment Options
There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you could be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Hawk Point, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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. You may have arthritis due to a genetic trait, an injury, autoimmune reaction, or infection. Regardless of the cause, 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 plan in Hawk Point, 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 most effective arthritis treatment method for you will depend on various factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:
- Medication. You may benefit from the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the level of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact physical activity benefits the joints and helps manage arthritis. Your Hawk Point, 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, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
- Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your Hawk Point, 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. 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 Hawk Point, MO
Physical therapy is a medical 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. The Hawk Point, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.
When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Hawk Point, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Hawk Point, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific 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 lifestyle in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.
Along with the hands-on care your Hawk Point, MO physical therapist may use in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, education is an equally important part of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment 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 household tasks easier
- Change your diet, if necessary
The Hawk Point, 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:
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
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 physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Hawk Point, MO, 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
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 Hawk Point, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What can I do to supplement my Hawk Point, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The outlook of your Hawk Point, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Hawk Point, 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:
- Be active
- Eat a balanced diet
- Reach and/or 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 Hawk Point, MO
Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Hawk Point, MO area. 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.













































































































































































