Arthritis Treatment Villa Ridge, MO

Arthritis Treatment Villa Ridge, MO. Living with arthritis in Villa Ridge, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Villa Ridge, MO here, or reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in Villa Ridge, MO and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Villa Ridge, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a 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. 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Villa Ridge, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Villa Ridge, 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 Villa Ridge, 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

According to the CDC, there are over 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 right arthritis treatment in Villa Ridge, MO for you depends in part on receiving a timely and 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. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the specific causes, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our Villa Ridge, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients living with many forms of arthritis in the Villa Ridge, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million Americans alone. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, 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. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, 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. Following the treat-to-target method, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to discover that you could be living with permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Villa Ridge, 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 important thing is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Villa Ridge, 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 permanent joint damage, preserving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment option for you is decided based primarily on the type of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, 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 meant to address your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents little associated risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential risks of undergoing 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 should incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Villa Ridge, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Villa Ridge, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Villa Ridge, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Villa Ridge, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and work to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the hands-on care your Villa Ridge, MO physical therapist will use to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, education is an equally important piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

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 Villa Ridge, 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, 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 an in-depth knowledge 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 Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment, 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 be independent. 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 Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The outcome of your Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, which includes following through on exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Villa Ridge, 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 environment
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 Villa Ridge, MO

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