Arthritis Treatment Shrewsbury, MO

Arthritis Treatment Shrewsbury, MO. Living with arthritis in Shrewsbury, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Shrewsbury, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. 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. 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 Shrewsbury, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Shrewsbury, MO area have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Shrewsbury, MO, you will work with your own 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 in excess of 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 Shrewsbury, 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 common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Shrewsbury, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with many types of arthritis in the Shrewsbury, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million people in the US. While it presents differently in different people, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, 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. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Shrewsbury, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms outside of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite and low energy.

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, your Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Shrewsbury, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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. Whether your arthritis is due to degeneration, trauma, an autoimmune response, or a specific infection, the key is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Shrewsbury, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent damage, preserving your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend on many factors, including what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. 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 of these medications are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that gentle, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Shrewsbury, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques as well as education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for the majority of 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 Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. 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 for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Shrewsbury, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Shrewsbury, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Shrewsbury, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Shrewsbury, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the various modalities your Shrewsbury, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target 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 arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

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

The Shrewsbury, 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:

What can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment, 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 Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your Shrewsbury, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, which includes adhering to home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Shrewsbury, MO that are comfortable with and trust to follow their advice. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:

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 space
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 Shrewsbury, MO

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