Arthritis Treatment Villa Ridge, MO. Living with arthritis in Villa Ridge, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, you need a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, 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.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients living with arthritis in Villa Ridge, MO 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 Villa Ridge, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. 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 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 Villa Ridge, MO area, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Villa Ridge, MO area have years of clinical experience providing arthritis treatment to individuals 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 professional who possesses the knowledge and experience needed to 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 fall under the category of 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 getting 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 common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the unique etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our Villa Ridge, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with many types of arthritis in the Villa Ridge, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, reaching approximately 27 million Americans alone. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness 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.

Medical professionals highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Villa Ridge, 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms outside of joint inflammation, such as whole-body weakness and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, you are treated for the purpose of a specific goal: either reaching remission or lowering 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 indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to discover that you may 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 key is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the right arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing joint damage, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on various factors, including what type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. 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 amount of risk involved and the potential for negative side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
• Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Villa Ridge, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, 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 typically reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have not been effective. Your doctors and other members of your Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the benefits and associated complications 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 for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Villa Ridge, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare field concerned with the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s job is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing evidence-backed treatment methods. The Villa Ridge, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with 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.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Villa Ridge, MO, you will work with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Villa Ridge, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. We will work with you one-on-one and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the most promising physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the various modalities your Villa Ridge, MO physical therapist may employ to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, educating you is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. 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
• Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
• Make adjustments around your home to make household tasks easier
• Find the right diet

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:

• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

What can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Villa Ridge, MO, you can expect any of 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

With physical therapy as a part of your arthritis treatment, you will work toward alleviating 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 supplement my Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Villa Ridge, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Villa Ridge, 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
• Reach and/or 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 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 Villa Ridge, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Villa Ridge, MO area. 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.