Arthritis Treatment Parkdale, MO

Arthritis Treatment Parkdale, MO. Living with arthritis in Parkdale, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. 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 Parkdale, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Parkdale, MO area 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 Parkdale, 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 form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — around 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Parkdale, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of Parkdale, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. When you entrust Axes for your Parkdale, 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

According to the CDC, there are over one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization 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. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Parkdale, 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. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each disease, our Parkdale, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with many types of arthritis in the Parkdale, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms 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.

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 Parkdale, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as whole-body weakness 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, your Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan 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 be told that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Parkdale, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow your joint damage 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 key is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Parkdale, 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 minimizing joint damage, increasing your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on what type 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 medications such as 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 really meant to address your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Parkdale, 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, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the 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 will likely incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Parkdale, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Parkdale, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy treat patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Parkdale, MO, you will work with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Parkdale, 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 rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the various modalities your Parkdale, MO physical therapist will employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, 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:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Parkdale, 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 stunt the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment, you can expect any of 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 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 Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to support my Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Parkdale, MO arthritis treatment team and 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
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 Parkdale, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Parkdale, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.