Arthritis Treatment Webster Groves, MO

Arthritis Treatment Webster Groves, MO. Living with arthritis in Webster Groves, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Millions of arthritis patients benefit from physical and occupational therapy treatment solutions for their arthritis treatment needs. Find out how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in Webster Groves, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Webster Groves, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment Webster Groves, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have some type of arthritis, and of them, almost half — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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 Webster Groves, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Webster Groves, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Webster Groves, MO, you are assigned a personal, 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

The CDC identifies more than one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but all arthritis conditions generally include inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Getting the right arthritis treatment in Webster Groves, 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. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Webster Groves, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients who have been diagnosed with various forms of arthritis in the Webster Groves, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching approximately 27 million individuals in the United States. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

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 Webster Groves, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body symmetrically, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers and fatigue.

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, 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 Webster Groves, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

There is no correct emotional reaction to 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 Webster Groves, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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 important thing after diagnosis is to make it a priority to move forward by finding the right arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Webster Groves, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward reducing permanent joint degeneration, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of a combination of any 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). Each medication comes with its own amount of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are largely meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually stunt your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Webster Groves, 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, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents minimal risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Webster Groves, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the 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 will likely include physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Webster Groves, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve your quality of life through the use of a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Webster Groves, MO physical therapists improve the lives of patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Webster Groves, MO, you will work with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Webster Groves, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the other medical providers on your arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, supplemental exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Webster Groves, MO physical therapist may use in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical 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
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Webster Groves, 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 are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of your physical therapist’s approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Webster Groves, 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

Physical therapy as an arthritis treatment can make life with arthritis easier by treating 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 Webster Groves, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to supplement my Webster Groves, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Webster Groves, MO arthritis treatment requires your active participation, including adhering to home exercises and adjustments to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Webster Groves, 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
Get good rest
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 Webster Groves, MO

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