Arthritis Treatment St. Genevieve, MO | Physical Therapy for Arthritis near St. Genevieve, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Genevieve, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Genevieve, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. 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. Genevieve, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you continue to live the life you want.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in St. Genevieve, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

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

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have some 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 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. Genevieve, MO, you are not just a number. Our team of St. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own personal, 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 over one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in St. Genevieve, 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. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific causes, trajectory, and prognoses of each condition, our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with many types of arthritis in the St. Genevieve, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, 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 St. Genevieve, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. 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 right and left 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 using what is known as 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 reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, your St. Genevieve, 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 processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is vital that you act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in St. Genevieve, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize the progress of your disease and maximize your quality of life.

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 important thing is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in St. Genevieve, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward slowing down joint degeneration, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The right arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more 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 amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact physical activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in St. Genevieve, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques in addition to education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated risks of receiving surgery. Surgeries for 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. Genevieve, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for St. Genevieve, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental 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 St. Genevieve, MO physical therapist will employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the right assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The St. Genevieve, 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 are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or stunt the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near St. Genevieve, MO, 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

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. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outlook of your St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near St. Genevieve, 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:

Be active
Eat a balanced diet
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 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. Genevieve, MO

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