Arthritis Treatment South County, MO

Arthritis Treatment South County, MO. Living with arthritis in South County, 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 South County, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you continue to live the life you want.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals living with arthritis in South County, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment South County, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. 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 South County, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the South County, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your South County, 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

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 in general, they all share the common traits of inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in South County, MO for you requires 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 widespread than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique causes, mechanics, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our South County, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the South County, 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, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. 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.

Medical professionals 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 South County, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, 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 low energy.

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 a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in South County, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in South County, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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. 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 best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in South County, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — minimizing permanent damage, maintaining your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend on many factors, including what type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and possible side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like 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 benefits the joints and helps manage arthritis. Your South County, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on therapies in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your South County, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated complications of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in South County, 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 employing evidence-backed treatment methods. The South County, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in South County, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for South County, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets 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, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the hands-on care your South County, MO physical therapist will employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical part of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in 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 adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The South County, 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, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your South County, 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 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 South County, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your South County, MO arthritis treatment requires 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 South County, 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
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 South County, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the South County, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician who specializes 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.