Arthritis Treatment Lake St. Louis, MO

Arthritis Treatment Lake St. Louis, MO. Living with arthritis in Lake St. Louis, 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 help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Lake St. Louis, MO here, or contact 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 poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Lake St. Louis, MO area 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 Lake St. Louis, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 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.

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. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Lake St. Louis, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Lake St. Louis, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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 Lake St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a 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

The CDC identifies over 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. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Lake St. Louis, MO for you depends in part on getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding 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 causes, trajectory, and prognoses of each disease, our Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients with various forms of arthritis in the Lake St. Louis, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US. 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. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Lake St. Louis, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment 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 attacks the lining found in 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 right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

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, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Lake St. Louis, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to be told that you could be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Lake St. Louis, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize your joint damage 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 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 sound arthritis treatment plan in Lake St. Louis, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution 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 consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and possible negative side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. Your Lake St. Louis, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques in addition to education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Lake St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated complications 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 Lake St. Louis, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO, you will work with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Lake St. Louis, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop 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 ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the various modalities your Lake St. Louis, MO physical therapist may employ in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, 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 guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Lake St. Louis, 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, 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 an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Lake St. Louis, 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 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 Lake St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to support my Lake St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Lake St. Louis, 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 Lake St. Louis, 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
Practice good sleep hygiene
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 Lake St. Louis, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Lake St. Louis, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician 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.