Arthritis Treatment Kirkwood, MO

Arthritis Treatment Kirkwood, MO. Living with arthritis in Kirkwood, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, 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 Kirkwood, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients in the Kirkwood, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Kirkwood, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — 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 Kirkwood, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of Kirkwood, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Kirkwood, MO, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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 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 all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Kirkwood, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and 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 common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique causes, mechanics, and outlook of each condition, our Kirkwood, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the Kirkwood, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. 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, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Kirkwood, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms outside of joint pain and stiffness, 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 eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Kirkwood, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to find out that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Kirkwood, 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 important thing is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Kirkwood, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent degeneration, preserving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment method for you will depend on many factors, including the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are really meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to 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 Kirkwood, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your Kirkwood, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Kirkwood, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Kirkwood, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Kirkwood, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Kirkwood, MO physical therapist may employ to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is an equally important piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Kirkwood, 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 slow the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Kirkwood, MO arthritis treatment, you may experience 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 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 Kirkwood, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Kirkwood, MO arthritis treatment requires 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 Kirkwood, 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
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home space
Apply heat
Quit smoking

One of the best things anyone with arthritis can do for themselves 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 Kirkwood, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Kirkwood, 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.