Arthritis Treatment St. Clair, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Clair, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Clair, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in St. Clair, 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 countless individuals living with arthritis in St. Clair, 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 requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment St. Clair, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 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.

The numbers illustrate the 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 St. Clair, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of St. Clair, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to 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. Clair, MO arthritis treatment, 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 more than 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. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in St. Clair, MO for you requires receiving 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. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique causes, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our St. Clair, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients living with many types of arthritis in the St. Clair, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Medical professionals 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 St. Clair, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly 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 knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends 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. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in St. Clair, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to discover that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in St. Clair, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize your joint damage and maximize your quality of life.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and 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 act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in St. Clair, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — reducing permanent joint damage, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to managing arthritis. Your St. Clair, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual therapies in addition to education, home exercises, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your St. Clair, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the benefits and associated complications of receiving 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 to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in St. Clair, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and 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. Clair, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for St. Clair, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the hands-on care your St. Clair, MO physical therapist may use to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education 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 work with you to help you:

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 St. Clair, 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 treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near St. Clair, MO, you may experience 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 enjoy life and do the activities that are important to you. 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. Clair, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your St. Clair, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, which includes adhering to home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your St. Clair, MO arthritis treatment team and 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 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 St. Clair, MO

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