Arthritis Treatment Valley Park, MO

Arthritis Treatment Valley Park, MO. Living with arthritis in Valley Park, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Valley Park, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts 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 living with arthritis in Valley Park, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Valley Park, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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 Valley Park, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Valley Park, MO area 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Valley Park, MO, you will work with your own dedicated arthritis treatment professional 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 are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Valley Park, MO for you depends in part on receiving an 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 widespread than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, mechanics, and outlook of each condition, our Valley Park, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with various types of arthritis in the Valley Park, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million Americans alone. 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 tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

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 Valley Park, 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 symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite 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, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Valley Park, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you could be living with 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 Valley Park, MO for your arthritis.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and 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 right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Valley Park, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing joint damage, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based on various factors, including the type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though 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 activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Valley Park, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies in addition to education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Valley Park, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential complications of undergoing 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 should incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Valley Park, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Valley Park, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Valley Park, MO, you will work with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Valley Park, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a tailored arthritis treatment plan that addresses your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Valley Park, MO physical therapist may employ to treat your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, education is an equally important piece 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 your home to make household tasks easier
Change your diet, if necessary

The Valley Park, 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, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims 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 number of advantages. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Valley Park, 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

With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating your symptoms and preserving your ability to enjoy life and do the activities that are important to you. 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 Valley Park, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to supplement my Valley Park, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Valley Park, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes adhering to exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Valley Park, 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
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 Valley Park, MO

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

Arthritis Treatment Valley Park, MO