Arthritis Treatment House Spring, MO. Living with arthritis in House Spring, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a safe and evidence-based 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 House Spring, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.
With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in House Spring, MO 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 making an appointment request now.
Arthritis Treatment House Spring, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis
Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — around 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 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 House Spring, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the House Spring, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near House Spring, MO, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional 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 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in House Spring, MO for you requires getting an 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 discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our House Spring, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients with many forms of arthritis in the House Spring, MO area.
Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.
Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in House Spring, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms outside of joint pain and stiffness, such as fevers and fatigue.
The American College of Rheumatology recommends 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 eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in House Spring, 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 may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in House Spring, 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. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the key is to make it a priority to move forward with the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in House Spring, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent degeneration, improving your mobility, and reducing pain.
The most effective arthritis treatment method for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of 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). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your House Spring, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
- Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your House Spring, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.
Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in House Spring, MO
Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our House Spring, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.
When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in House Spring, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for House Spring, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop a tailored 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, home exercises and education, and modifications to your environment in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.
Along with the hands-on care your House Spring, MO physical therapist will employ to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will work with you to help you:
- Correct posture and gait
- Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
- Make adjustments around your home to make your daily activities easier
- Find the right diet
The House Spring, 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:
How can physical therapy arthritis treatment help me?
Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your House Spring, 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 perform daily tasks. 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 House Spring, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What things can I do at home to support my House Spring, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The outlook of your House Spring, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your House Spring, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:
- 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
- Apply heat
- 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 House Spring, MO
Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the House Spring, 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.