Arthritis Treatment Washington, MO

Arthritis Treatment Washington, MO. Living with arthritis in Washington, 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. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Washington, MO here, or contact 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 in the Washington, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Washington, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States suffer from type 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. 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. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Washington, MO area, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Washington, 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 Washington, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a dedicated arthritis treatment professional 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 fall under the category of arthritis. The causes and treatment methods differ from one diagnosis to the next, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Washington, MO for you depends in part on getting a timely and 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 briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific causes, mechanics, and outlook of each condition, our Washington, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with many forms of arthritis in the Washington, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and irritation. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education are important for any osteoarthritis treatment plan in Washington, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, such as loss of appetite and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends 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 reaching remission or lowering disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Washington, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you could be living with irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Washington, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow the progress of your disease and maximize your quality of life.

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 key 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 Washington, 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 degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you will depend primarily on what type of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. You may benefit from medications such as NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications vary in the risks involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to stunt the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Washington, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual therapies in addition to education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is typically used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Washington, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Washington, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. The Washington, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy treat 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 Washington, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Washington, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and 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 home and work to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

In addition to the hands-on care your Washington, MO physical therapist may employ to manage your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, education is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

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

The Washington, 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 slow the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Washington, 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

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 Washington, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Washington, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Washington, MO arthritis treatment team and follow their advice. To support a good arthritis treatment plan, there a number of things you can do on your own, including:

Stay active
Eat a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
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 Washington, MO

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