Arthritis Treatment Maryland Heights, MO

Arthritis Treatment Maryland Heights, MO. Living with arthritis in Maryland Heights, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound 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 Maryland Heights, MO here, or contact 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.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients in the Maryland Heights, 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 making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Maryland Heights, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Maryland Heights, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Maryland Heights, MO area 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 Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own 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 are grouped under the categorization arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Maryland Heights, MO for you requires getting a timely and accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with many forms of arthritis in the Maryland Heights, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. 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, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Maryland Heights, 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 body’s 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 affects joints symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, 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, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Maryland Heights, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Maryland Heights, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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 important thing after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Maryland Heights, 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 slowing down permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment option for you is decided based on various factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Maryland Heights, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies in addition to education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of receiving surgery. Surgeries to treat 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 for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Maryland Heights, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Maryland Heights, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Maryland Heights, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop a personalized arthritis treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your Maryland Heights, MO physical therapist may use in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important piece of your arthritis treatment. 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
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around your home to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Maryland Heights, 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 are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, which includes adhering to exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Maryland Heights, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

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 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 Maryland Heights, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Maryland Heights, MO area. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist 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.