Arthritis Treatment Maplewood, MO

Arthritis Treatment Maplewood, MO. Living with arthritis in Maplewood, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Find out how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Maplewood, MO here, or contact 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.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients living with arthritis in Maplewood, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Maplewood, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a 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 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 Maplewood, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Maplewood, MO area have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Maplewood, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, 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

The CDC identifies in excess of 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 joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Maplewood, MO for you depends in part on getting 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 becoming experts on the specific causes, trajectory, and prognoses of each condition, our Maplewood, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with various types of arthritis in the Maplewood, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and swelling. 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 Maplewood, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as fevers and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Maplewood, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of reacting to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to be told that you may be living with permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Maplewood, 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. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the key after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Maplewood, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward minimizing joint damage, improving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment method 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. You may benefit from the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and possible side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Maplewood, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, 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 is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Maplewood, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential complications of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgeries for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Maplewood, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Maplewood, MO physical therapists improve the lives of 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 Maplewood, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Maplewood, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your environment to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Maplewood, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

Master proper 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 Maplewood, 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ 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 benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Maplewood, 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

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 Maplewood, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my Maplewood, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Maplewood, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Maplewood, 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:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home space
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 Maplewood, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Maplewood, 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.