Arthritis Treatment Union, MO

Arthritis Treatment Union, MO. Living with arthritis in Union, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Union, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you continue to live the life you want.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals living with arthritis in Union, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Union, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Union, MO, you are more than a number. Our team of Union, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience 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 Union, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own 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 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 all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Union, MO for you requires 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 briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific causes, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Union, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with many forms of arthritis in the Union, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching approximately 27 million individuals in the United States. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, 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.

Peer-reviewed sources put physical therapy at the top of the list of recommended treatments for osteoarthritis. Patients in Union, 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. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers 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. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Union, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in Union, MO for your arthritis.

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 important thing after diagnosis 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 team in Union, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down joint degeneration, preserving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the amount of risk involved and possible side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. Your Union, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques as well as education, home exercises, 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 treatment for arthritis 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 Union, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential complications of receiving a surgical operation. Surgical procedures 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 for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Union, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life by using evidence-backed treatment methods. The Union, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Union, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Union, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your environment in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

In addition to the various modalities your Union, MO physical therapist will use to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, education is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist will work with you to help you:

Master proper posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Union, 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 treat 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 benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Union, 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 Union, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Union, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, including following through on exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Union, MO arthritis treatment team and 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
Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home space
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 Union, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Union, 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.