Arthritis Treatment Jefferson Barracks, MO

Arthritis Treatment Jefferson Barracks, MO. Living with arthritis in Jefferson Barracks, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Jefferson Barracks, 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 in the Jefferson Barracks, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Jefferson Barracks, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have some type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — 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.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Jefferson Barracks, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Jefferson Barracks, 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who knows how 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 more than one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO for you requires 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 widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique causes, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our Jefferson Barracks, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with various forms of arthritis in the Jefferson Barracks, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million individuals in the United States. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the 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. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s 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 works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Jefferson Barracks, 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 can certainly be painful and difficult to be told that you could be looking at a future of irreversible 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.

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 with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Jefferson Barracks, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — reducing permanent joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The right arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on what type 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. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact physical activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Jefferson Barracks, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, 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 been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential risks 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 include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Jefferson Barracks, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Jefferson Barracks, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO, you will work with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Jefferson Barracks, 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 select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the various modalities your Jefferson Barracks, MO physical therapist will employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, education 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 household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Jefferson Barracks, 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, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to eliminate symptoms or stunt 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 advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Jefferson Barracks, 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 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes adhering to home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Jefferson Barracks, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:

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 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Jefferson Barracks, MO area. 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.