Arthritis Treatment Hazelwood, MO

Arthritis Treatment Hazelwood, MO. Living with arthritis in Hazelwood, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Hazelwood, 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 capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Hazelwood, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Hazelwood, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a type 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 count tells us how deeply arthritis affects our communities reach arthritis has, but , but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Hazelwood, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Hazelwood, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Hazelwood, MO, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to 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. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Hazelwood, MO for you requires getting a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each condition, our Hazelwood, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Hazelwood, MO area.

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

Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Hazelwood, 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 mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms outside of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite 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 one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Hazelwood, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

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 may be living with permanent joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Hazelwood, 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 after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Hazelwood, 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 joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk 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 stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Hazelwood, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Hazelwood, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and associated complications of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures for 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 Hazelwood, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Hazelwood, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with 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.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Hazelwood, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the hands-on care your Hazelwood, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around the house to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Hazelwood, 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge 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 Hazelwood, 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 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 Hazelwood, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to supplement my Hazelwood, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Hazelwood, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon 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 Hazelwood, 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
Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home space
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 Hazelwood, MO

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