Arthritis Treatment Hillsboro, MO

Arthritis Treatment Hillsboro, MO. Living with arthritis in Hillsboro, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a sound 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 Hillsboro, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients in the Hillsboro, MO area 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 Hillsboro, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 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.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, 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 Hillsboro, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, MO, you will work with your own personal, 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 over one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Hillsboro, MO for you depends in part on getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, trajectory, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our Hillsboro, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with many forms of arthritis in the Hillsboro, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million individuals in the United States. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Hillsboro, 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 body’s immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite 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, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Hillsboro, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Hillsboro, 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 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 sound arthritis treatment plan in Hillsboro, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — minimizing permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based primarily on the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, 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 only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Hillsboro, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses 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 Hillsboro, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and potential risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Hillsboro, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Hillsboro, 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 medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for Hillsboro, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a personalized arthritis treatment plan that addresses your exact 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 habits and living conditions in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Hillsboro, 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 the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Hillsboro, 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 treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ 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 Hillsboro, MO arthritis treatment, 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 Hillsboro, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Hillsboro, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Hillsboro, 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
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
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 Hillsboro, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Hillsboro, 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.