Arthritis Treatment Ozark View, MO. Living with arthritis in Ozark View, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Ozark View, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.
With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in Ozark View, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore 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 Ozark View, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis
Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Ozark View, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Ozark View, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Ozark View, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional 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 over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of 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 Ozark View, MO for you depends in part on getting a timely and 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 etiology, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our Ozark View, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with various forms of arthritis in the Ozark View, MO area.
Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While it presents differently in different people, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. 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 Ozark View, 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 attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as fevers 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 reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Ozark View, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you may be looking at a future of permanent 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 Ozark View, MO for your arthritis.
Under the umbrella of arthritis, there are a wide variety of conditions that have 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 by finding the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Ozark View, 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 reducing permanent degeneration, preserving your mobility, and reducing pain.
The right arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:
- Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and possible side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Ozark View, 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, customized approach and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
- Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your Ozark View, 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. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.
Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Ozark View, MO
Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. The Ozark View, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with 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.
At Axes Physical Therapy in Ozark View, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Ozark View, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets 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 habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.
Along with the hands-on care your Ozark View, MO physical therapist will use to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is an equally important piece 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:
- Correct posture and gait
- Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
- Make changes around your home to make your daily activities easier
- Change your diet, if necessary
The Ozark View, 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:
- Neck Pain Treatment
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
What can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for 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 background 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Ozark View, 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
With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating 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 Ozark View, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What things can I do at home to support my Ozark View, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The outlook of your Ozark View, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, which includes following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Ozark View, 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
- 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 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 Ozark View, MO
Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Ozark View, 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.
