Arthritis Treatment St. Louis, MO

Arthritis Treatment St. Louis, MO. Living with arthritis in St. Louis, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in St. Louis, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the St. Louis, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

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

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type 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. 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the St. Louis, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of St. Louis, MO area physical and occupational therapists have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients affected by all different types of arthritis suffering from varying degrees of pain and disability. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near St. Louis, MO, 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

The CDC identifies over 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. Louis, MO for you requires receiving an accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique causes, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our St. Louis, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with various forms of arthritis in the St. Louis, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million Americans alone. While it presents differently in different people, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in St. Louis, 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, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends 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. With your goal in mind, your St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to receiving a diagnosis like 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. Louis, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow 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. 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 right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in St. Louis, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down joint damage, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

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

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and the potential for negative 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 your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact physical activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your St. Louis, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your doctors and other members of your St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the possible benefits and associated risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgeries for 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. Louis, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. Our St. Louis, MO physical therapists improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO, you will work with a movement expert who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for St. Louis, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your environment in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the various modalities your St. Louis, MO physical therapist may use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is an equally important part 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:

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

The St. Louis, 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 eliminate symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near St. Louis, MO, 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 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. Louis, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your St. Louis, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near St. Louis, 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
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Get good rest
Make modifications to your home environment
Use heat applications
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. Louis, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the St. Louis, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician 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.