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 treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. 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 you enjoy your life and continue the activities you love.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless patients in the Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Approximately 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and nearly half of them — 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 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 team of Weldon Spring, 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. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Weldon Spring, MO, you will work with your own 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 in excess of one hundred conditions that fall under the category of arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, 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. Below, we briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By understanding the unique causes, trajectory, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Weldon Spring, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients with various types of arthritis in the Weldon Spring, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an average of 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 redness and swelling. With osteoarthritis, any part of the joints can be affected, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

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 Weldon Spring, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system 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 in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Your rheumatoid arthritis can also present additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as whole-body weakness and low energy.

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, you are treated for the purpose of one of two goals: either reaching remission or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Weldon Spring, MO that addresses that goal and measure indicators of your disease over time.

Arthritis Treatment Methods

Everyone has their own way of processing being diagnosed with arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you find out that you may be living with 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 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 important thing after diagnosis 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 strong arthritis treatment team in Weldon Spring, 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 permanent degeneration, preserving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you will depend primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and your other health characteristics. Usually, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any of the following:

• Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, 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 really meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow the progression of your disease.
• Physical or Occupational Therapy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show that gentle, low-impact activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to living with arthritis. Your Weldon Spring, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual care techniques as well as education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach that is tailored to the individual and presents little associated risk for most patients.
• Surgery. Surgery 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 Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and potential risks of undergoing surgery. Surgical procedures to treat arthritis include synovectomy, joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. If you are a candidate for surgery, your arthritis treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy to help you prepare for and heal from your surgery.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Weldon Spring, MO

Physical therapy is a medical field based in movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve your quality of life through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. The Weldon Spring, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy treat patients of all walks of life. We see individuals of a wide range of ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical conditions, including different types of arthritis.

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy in Weldon Spring, MO, you will work with a joint specialist with experience treating arthritis for Weldon Spring, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design an individualized arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific needs. We will work closely with you and communicate with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to ensure you receive the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort 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 manage your arthritis symptoms or slow 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 assist you in accomplishing the following:

• Correct posture and gait
• Integrate the use of assistive devices into your life.
• Make adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
• Change your diet, if necessary

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:

• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention
• Mobility
• Knee Injury
• Joint Pain
• Sciatica
• Dry Needling
• ACL Tear
• Pain Management
• Rotator Cuff Tear

What are the benefits of physical therapy arthritis treatment?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to eliminate 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 patients are able to enjoy 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 perform daily tasks. 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 things can I do at home to support my Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outcome of your Weldon Spring, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including following through on 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. 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
• 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 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, MO

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