Arthritis Treatment St. Ann, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Ann, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Ann, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need 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 St. Ann, 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 positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in St. Ann, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore 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 St. Ann, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type 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 St. Ann, MO area, you are more than a number. Our team of St. Ann, 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 St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, 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

According to the CDC, there are in excess of one hundred conditions that fall under the category of 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 St. Ann, MO for you requires 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. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our St. Ann, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with various forms of arthritis in the St. Ann, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in St. Ann, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s 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 symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience additional symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, such as whole-body weakness and low energy.

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 a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you discover that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in St. Ann, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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 important thing 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 plan in St. Ann, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down joint damage, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and the potential for side effects. Some 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. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in St. Ann, 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 usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of receiving 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 should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in St. Ann, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. The St. Ann, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Ann, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for St. Ann, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one 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 environment to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the various modalities your St. Ann, MO physical therapist will employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

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

The St. Ann, 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 expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your St. Ann, 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 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 St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your St. Ann, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near St. Ann, 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 environment
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 St. Ann, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the St. Ann, MO area. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist 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.