Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring, MO

Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring, MO. Living with arthritis in Weldon Spring, MO? Whether you just received your diagnosis or have struggled with symptoms for years, it is important that you find a safe and evidence-based 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 Weldon Spring, MO here, or reach out to 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 positioned to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Weldon Spring, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Weldon Spring, 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 some type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — experience significant limitations in their daily life due to their condition. 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Weldon Spring, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment, you will work with your own 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 in excess of 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. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Weldon Spring, MO for you requires receiving an accurate diagnosis and understanding your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. We describe the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the specific etiology, trajectory, and prognoses of each type of arthritis, our Weldon Spring, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients with many forms of arthritis in the Weldon Spring, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million Americans alone. While it affects people in different ways, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and irritation. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as 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, 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 body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, damaging the bone and ligaments in the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints symmetrically, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, 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. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Weldon Spring, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

There is no correct emotional reaction to being diagnosed with arthritis. It can certainly be painful and difficult to learn that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. It is up to you to act quickly and seek arthritis treatment in Weldon Spring, MO as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed to slow your joint damage and maximize your quality of life.

Under the umbrella of arthritis, there are a wide variety of conditions that have 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 best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a strong arthritis treatment team in Weldon Spring, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis. You will work toward slowing down joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and reducing pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment method for you will depend on various factors, including the type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, 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 largely only effective in alleviating your arthritis symptoms, though steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of arthritic joint degradation.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Weldon Spring, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive hands-on therapies as well as education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and poses minimal risk for the majority of patients.
Surgery. Surgery is typically used for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your doctors and other members of your Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of receiving a surgical operation. Surgeries for arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. Your arthritis treatment plan will likely incorporate physical therapy for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Weldon Spring, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field concerned with movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our Weldon Spring, MO physical therapists work with patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Weldon Spring, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist who has had a career of successfully treating arthritis for Weldon Spring, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work closely with you 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.

Along with the various modalities your Weldon Spring, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or slow the degeneration of your joints, education is an equally important part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
Make adjustments around the house to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Weldon Spring, 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 stunt the progression of the disease. Because of your physical therapist’s background in movement science and expertise of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Weldon Spring, 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 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, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Weldon Spring, 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 space
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 Weldon Spring, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Weldon Spring, 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.