Arthritis Treatment St. Charles, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Charles, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Charles, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in St. Charles, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals living with arthritis in St. Charles, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment St. Charles, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. 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.

Arthritis clearly has a major impact on our society, 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 St. Charles, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment therapist 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. Getting the right arthritis treatment in St. Charles, MO for you requires getting an 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. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our St. Charles, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with many forms of arthritis in the St. Charles, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an average of 27 million individuals in the United States. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in St. Charles, 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 mistakenly attacks the lining of the 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 fevers 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 reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, your St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to be told that you may be living with irreversible joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in St. Charles, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and 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 with the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in St. Charles, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing permanent joint damage, improving your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from 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 of these medications are really meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in St. Charles, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies 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 most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in St. Charles, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The St. Charles, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy 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 St. Charles, MO, you will work with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for St. Charles, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop a tailored 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 habits and living conditions to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your St. Charles, MO physical therapist will use 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 movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The St. Charles, 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 treat symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your St. Charles, 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

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 St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your St. Charles, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including adhering to exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near St. Charles, 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:

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 environment
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 St. Charles, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the St. Charles, MO area. 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.