Arthritis Treatment Josephville, MO. Living with arthritis in Josephville, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Josephville, MO here, or reach out to 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.
As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Josephville, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.
Arthritis Treatment Josephville, MO: A Background on Arthritis
Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 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 Josephville, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Josephville, 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 Josephville, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a 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 fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Josephville, MO for you requires getting an 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 briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our Josephville, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Josephville, MO area.
Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. 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 Josephville, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, 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 a specific goal: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Josephville, 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 receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in Josephville, MO 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 by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Josephville, 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 minimizing joint damage, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.
The right arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on many factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:
- Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Josephville, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents minimal risk for most patients.
- Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Josephville, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential complications of receiving surgery. Surgeries for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.
Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Josephville, MO
Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Josephville, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.
When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Josephville, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Josephville, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to help you remain independent and free from pain.
Along with the hands-on care your Josephville, MO physical therapist will use to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is another critical piece 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:
- Correct posture and gait
- Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
- Make adjustments around your home to make household tasks easier
- Change your diet, if necessary
The Josephville, 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:
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
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 number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Josephville, MO, you can expect any of the benefits listed below:
- 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 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 Josephville, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What can I do to support my Josephville, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The success of your Josephville, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, which includes adhering to exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Josephville, 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:
- 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 Josephville, MO
Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Josephville, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist 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.













