Arthritis Treatment Osage Hills, MO

Arthritis Treatment Osage Hills, MO. Living with arthritis in Osage Hills, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Osage Hills, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 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.

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 Osage Hills, MO area, you are more than a number. Our team of Osage Hills, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. When you entrust Axes for your Osage Hills, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, 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

According to the CDC, there are 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 in general, they all share the common traits of inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Osage Hills, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our Osage Hills, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients who have been diagnosed with many types of arthritis in the Osage Hills, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million individuals in the United States. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Osage Hills, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, your Osage Hills, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to find out that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in Osage Hills, MO for your arthritis.

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 make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Osage Hills, 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 minimizing permanent damage, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on various factors, including the 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. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks 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 shows that gentle, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Osage Hills, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive 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 little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Osage Hills, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of undergoing 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 will likely include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Osage Hills, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Osage Hills, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Osage Hills, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for Osage Hills, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the hands-on care your Osage Hills, MO physical therapist may use in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

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
Change your diet, if necessary

The Osage Hills, 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 offers a wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Osage Hills, 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 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 Osage Hills, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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
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 Osage Hills, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Osage Hills, MO area. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician 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.