Arthritis Treatment St. Genevieve, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Genevieve, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Genevieve, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a treatment plan that works for you. 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. Genevieve, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

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

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

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — about 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. That makes arthritis the third leading cause of disability among working-age adults, after neck and back problems and mental health conditions like depression.

The count tells us how deeply arthritis affects our communities 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. Genevieve, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the St. Genevieve, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who knows how to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies over one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the right arthritis treatment in St. Genevieve, MO for you requires receiving an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

Of the many diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, some are more widespread than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each disease, our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for countless patients with various types of arthritis in the St. Genevieve, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as 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. Genevieve, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system 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 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. In this treatment model, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in St. Genevieve, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of processing being diagnosed with 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 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 key after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong 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 permanent joint degeneration, preserving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The right arthritis treatment method for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from the use of NSAIDs, counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some are largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to 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 as well as education, exercises to do at home, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated complications of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in St. Genevieve, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The St. Genevieve, 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 conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, MO, you will work with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for St. Genevieve, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will develop a tailored arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your environment in an effort to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your St. Genevieve, MO physical therapist may use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is an equally important piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around the house to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

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 can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to treat symptoms or slow 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 number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your St. Genevieve, 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 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 can I do to supplement my St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your St. Genevieve, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, which includes following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your St. Genevieve, 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
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home environment
Use heat applications
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

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the St. Genevieve, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist with expertise 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.