Arthritis Treatment St. George, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. George, MO. Living with arthritis in St. George, 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. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in St. George, 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.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals living with arthritis in St. George, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

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

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — 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. George, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the St. George, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near St. George, MO, you will work with your own personal, dedicated arthritis treatment professional who knows how to design a treatment plan for you that addresses your goals and fits your lifestyle.

Types of Arthritis

The CDC identifies in excess of 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 inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in St. George, MO for you depends in part on receiving an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our St. George, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with various forms of arthritis in the St. George, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, 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.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in St. George, MO with osteoarthritis should make sure their arthritis treatment includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, 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. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your St. George, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you could be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in St. George, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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 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 sound arthritis treatment plan in St. George, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis — reducing joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

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

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and the potential for side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and helps manage arthritis. Your St. George, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques 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 the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your St. George, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on 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 will likely incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in St. George, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field 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. Our St. George, MO physical therapists 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.

At Axes Physical Therapy in St. George, MO, you will work with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for St. George, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the various modalities your St. George, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is an equally important piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

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

The St. George, 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 eliminate symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near St. George, 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

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. George, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

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

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the St. George, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.