Arthritis Treatment Pevely, MO

Arthritis Treatment Pevely, MO. Living with arthritis in Pevely, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Pevely, 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.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Pevely, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Pevely, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. That makes arthritis the third leading cause of disability among working-age adults, after neck and back problems and mental health conditions like depression.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Pevely, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Pevely, MO area 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 Pevely, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to 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 more than one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Pevely, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis and understanding 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 becoming experts on the specific etiology, mechanics, and prognoses of each disease, our Pevely, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients who have been diagnosed with various types of arthritis in the Pevely, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as 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. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Pevely, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the 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 symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, 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, your treatment team works toward 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 Pevely, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you could 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 Pevely, 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. You may have arthritis due to a genetic trait, an injury, autoimmune reaction, or infection. Regardless of the cause, the key after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Pevely, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward slowing down joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you will depend primarily on the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Pevely, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive 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 treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Pevely, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing surgery. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan will likely include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Pevely, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Pevely, MO physical therapists improve the lives of 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.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Pevely, MO, you will work with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Pevely, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop a tailored 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 select the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Pevely, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize 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 guide you to:

Master proper posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Pevely, 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 eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s 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 Pevely, 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

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 Pevely, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your Pevely, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Pevely, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home space
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 Pevely, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Pevely, 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.