Arthritis Treatment Park Hills, MO

Arthritis Treatment Park Hills, MO. Living with arthritis in Park Hills, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need 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 Park Hills, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Park 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 requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Park Hills, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — 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.

The numbers illustrate the reach arthritis has, but , but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Park Hills, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Park Hills, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to 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 Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies over 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 right arthritis treatment in Park Hills, MO for you depends in part on receiving 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 common than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each condition, our Park Hills, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients who have been diagnosed with many types of arthritis in the Park Hills, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Park Hills, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite 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 eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Park Hills, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you could be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Park Hills, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize the progress of your disease and maximize your quality of life.

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 important thing is to make it a priority to move forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Park Hills, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent degeneration, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you will depend primarily on the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and the potential for side effects. Some are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Park Hills, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual therapies as well as 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 is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Park 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 receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Park Hills, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare 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 employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Park Hills, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Park Hills, MO, you will work with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Park Hills, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact 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 to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Park Hills, MO physical therapist may use to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. 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 changes around your home to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The Park 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:

How can physical therapy arthritis treatment help me?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Park Hills, 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 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 Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, including following through on exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. Some good practices you can implement in your life to support your arthritis treatment plan are:

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 environment
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 Park Hills, MO

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