Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring Heights, MO

Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring Heights, MO. Living with arthritis in Weldon Spring Heights, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a treatment plan that works for you. 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 Weldon Spring Heights, 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 hundreds of individuals in the Weldon Spring Heights, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or begin your path to enjoying life to the fullest while living with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring Heights, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — 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 Weldon Spring Heights, MO area, you are not just a number. Our team of Weldon Spring Heights, MO area physical and occupational therapists 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. When you entrust Axes for your Weldon Spring Heights, 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 joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Weldon Spring Heights, MO for you requires 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 discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each disease, our Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients with many forms of arthritis in the Weldon Spring Heights, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US. While it affects people in different ways, symptoms commonly include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the 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. Patients in Weldon Spring Heights, MO with osteoarthritis benefit from an arthritis treatment plan that includes physical therapy, targeted joint exercises, lifestyle modifications, and education.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis works symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms not directly related to the joint, such as fevers and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, your Weldon Spring Heights, MO arthritis treatment team will design a plan and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of reacting to receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told that you may be looking at a future of irreversible joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Weldon Spring Heights, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to minimize 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 that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Weldon Spring Heights, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down joint degeneration, improving your mobility, and reducing pain.

The right arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan consists of 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). Each medication comes with its own level of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow the progression of your disease.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and helps manage arthritis. Your Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and hands-on care techniques 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 treatment for arthritis is typically reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your Weldon Spring Heights, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and potential complications of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures 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 Weldon Spring Heights, 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 your quality of life by using a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. The Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy work with 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 Weldon Spring Heights, MO, you will be matched with a joint specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Weldon Spring Heights, 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 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 various modalities your Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapist will use in order to manage your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical piece of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your arthritis treatment physical therapist 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 Weldon Spring Heights, 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 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 offers a wide range of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Weldon Spring Heights, 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 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 Weldon Spring Heights, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to supplement my Weldon Spring Heights, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your Weldon Spring Heights, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, which includes following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Weldon Spring Heights, 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:

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 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 Weldon Spring Heights, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Weldon Spring Heights, MO area. Your dedicated physical therapist will be an active member of your arthritis treatment team as a clinician 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.