Arthritis Treatment Potosi, MO

Arthritis Treatment Potosi, MO. Living with arthritis in Potosi, MO? After being diagnosed, 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. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Potosi, MO here, or contact 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 positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in Potosi, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Potosi, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from 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. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Potosi, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Potosi, MO area have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Potosi, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own 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 fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Potosi, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By becoming experts on the specific causes, mechanics, and prognoses of each disease, our Potosi, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with many types of arthritis in the Potosi, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the 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 Potosi, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends using what is known as 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 reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Potosi, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to be told that you could be living with 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 Potosi, 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 act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Potosi, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward minimizing permanent joint damage, maintaining your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of 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 amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to managing arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Potosi, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques in addition to 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 the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your doctors and other members of your Potosi, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated complications of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Potosi, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Potosi, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Potosi, MO, you will work with a joint expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Potosi, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Potosi, MO physical therapist may use to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, educating you 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 guide you to:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around your home to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Potosi, 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 eliminate symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Potosi, MO arthritis treatment, 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 be independent. 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 Potosi, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Potosi, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes adhering to home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Potosi, 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
Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home space
Use heat applications
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 Potosi, MO

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