Arthritis Treatment Leslie, MO. Living with arthritis in Leslie, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Leslie, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts 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 individuals in the Leslie, 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 making an appointment request now.
Arthritis Treatment Leslie, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis
Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — 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.
The numbers illustrate the 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 Leslie, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Leslie, MO area have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Leslie, MO, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who knows how to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.
Types of Arthritis
The CDC identifies in excess of 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. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in Leslie, MO for you depends in part on receiving an 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 widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our Leslie, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Leslie, 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 presents differently in different people, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.
Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Leslie, 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 mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis works symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, such as whole-body weakness 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 a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Leslie, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.
Arthritis Treatment Methods
Everyone has their own way of reacting to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you may be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Leslie, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize your joint damage and maximize your quality of life.
Under the umbrella of arthritis, there are a wide variety of conditions that have many different causes. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the key is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Leslie, 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 reducing joint damage, preserving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.
The right arthritis treatment method for you will depend primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:
- Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt your disease progression.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Leslie, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive 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 minimal risk for most patients.
- Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Leslie, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and potential risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures to treat 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 Leslie, MO
Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with 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 Leslie, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.
When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO, you will work with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for Leslie, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a personalized 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 promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.
In addition to the various modalities your Leslie, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important piece of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:
- Correct posture and gait
- Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
- Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
- Find the right diet
The Leslie, 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:
- Neck Pain Treatment
- 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
What are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?
Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims 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 number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Leslie, MO, 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
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 Leslie, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What things can I do at home to supplement my Leslie, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The outlook of your Leslie, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Leslie, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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
- 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 Leslie, MO
Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Leslie, 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.









