Arthritis Treatment Howell, MO

Arthritis Treatment Howell, MO. Living with arthritis in Howell, MO? After being diagnosed, 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 Howell, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients living with arthritis in Howell, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Howell, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form 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 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 Howell, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of Howell, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Howell, 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

The CDC identifies 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. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Howell, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and 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 common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our Howell, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients with various types of arthritis in the Howell, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Howell, 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. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage 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 other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers 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 one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Howell, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan 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 discover that you may be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Howell, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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 by finding the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Howell, 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 slowing down joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The right arthritis treatment option for you will depend primarily on what type 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. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Howell, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated 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 doctors and other members of your Howell, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Howell, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve your quality of life by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Howell, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Howell, MO, you will work with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Howell, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your environment to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Howell, MO physical therapist may employ in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize 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:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Howell, 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 treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Howell, 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

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating 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 Howell, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Howell, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Howell, 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:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
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 Howell, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Howell, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.