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, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. 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 discuss how our joint and movement experts 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. Discover 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 Park Hills, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis
Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type 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.
The count tells us how deeply arthritis affects our communities reach arthritis has, but , 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 Park Hills, MO, you are more than a number. Our team of Park Hills, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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 are assigned a 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
According to the CDC, there are 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 joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Park Hills, MO for you requires getting an 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 etiology, mechanics, and prognoses 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 various types of arthritis in the Park Hills, 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 different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.
Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Park Hills, MO.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works 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 using what is known as 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, 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
There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to discover that you could be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to 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.
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 important thing after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward with the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan 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 — reducing permanent joint damage, improving your mobility, and reducing pain.
The right arthritis treatment method for you is decided based primarily on the kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more 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 amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt your disease progression.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Park Hills, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
- Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat 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 medical field based in movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Park Hills, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.
At Axes Physical Therapy in Park Hills, MO, you will work with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Park Hills, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to help you remain independent and free from pain.
In addition to the various modalities your Park Hills, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education 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 household tasks 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to treat symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Park Hills, MO, 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 Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment needs.
What can I do to support my Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment plan?
The outlook of your Park Hills, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to home 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. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:
- Stay active
- Eat a balanced diet
- 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 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 Park Hills, MO
Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Park Hills, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.
