Arthritis Treatment Mackenzie, MO

Arthritis Treatment Mackenzie, MO. Living with arthritis in Mackenzie, 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. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Mackenzie, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in Mackenzie, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Mackenzie, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 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 the statistics on their own don’t paint a complete picture where your own experience is concerned. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Mackenzie, MO area, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Mackenzie, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to 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 Mackenzie, MO, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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

The CDC identifies more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Mackenzie, 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 briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our Mackenzie, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various forms of arthritis in the Mackenzie, 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 people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, 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 Mackenzie, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience 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 eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Mackenzie, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

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 could be looking at a future of permanent 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 Mackenzie, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and many different causes. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the important thing is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Mackenzie, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The right arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on various factors, including the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the level of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Mackenzie, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Mackenzie, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated complications of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Mackenzie, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Mackenzie, MO physical therapists 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 Mackenzie, MO, you will work with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Mackenzie, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate 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 environment in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Mackenzie, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. 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 the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Mackenzie, 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 approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Mackenzie, 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 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 Mackenzie, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to supplement my Mackenzie, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your Mackenzie, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Mackenzie, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

Be 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 Mackenzie, MO

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