Arthritis Treatment Owensville, MO. Living with arthritis in Owensville, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Owensville, 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.
With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Owensville, 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 requesting an appointment now.
Arthritis Treatment Owensville, MO: A Background on Arthritis
Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have some type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — 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 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 Owensville, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Owensville, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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 Owensville, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a 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
According to the CDC, there are more than 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Owensville, MO for you requires getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.
Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our Owensville, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with various types of arthritis in the Owensville, MO area.
Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.
Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Owensville, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage 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 other symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.
The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Owensville, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Owensville, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.
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 make it a priority to move forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Owensville, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — reducing joint damage, increasing your mobility, and decreasing pain.
The right arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more 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 risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Owensville, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies as well as education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents 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 Owensville, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated risks of undergoing surgery. 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 include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.
Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Owensville, MO
Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Owensville, MO physical therapists treat patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.
When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Owensville, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Owensville, 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 other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.
In addition to the hands-on care your Owensville, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment 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 your home to make your daily activities easier
- Find the right diet
The Owensville, 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:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
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 your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Owensville, 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
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 Owensville, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What things can I do at home to support my Owensville, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The success of your Owensville, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, which includes adhering to exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Owensville, 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
- Reach and/or 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 anyone with arthritis can do for themselves 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 Owensville, MO
Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Owensville, 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.