Arthritis Treatment West Alton, MO

Arthritis Treatment West Alton, MO. Living with arthritis in West Alton, MO? After being diagnosed, you need a safe and evidence-based treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Find out how these approaches can help you get the best arthritis treatment for you in West Alton, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to speak to a joint and movement specialist about how we can help you continue to live the life you want.

As a treatment network currently fifteen locations strong, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the West Alton, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our conveniently located facilities or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by making an appointment request now.

Arthritis Treatment West Alton, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — around 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. That makes arthritis the third leading cause of disability among working-age adults, after neck and back problems and mental health conditions like depression.

The numbers illustrate the reach arthritis has, but , but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near West Alton, MO, you are more than a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the West Alton, MO area 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 West Alton, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a 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 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. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in West Alton, MO for you depends in part on receiving an 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 common than others. Below, we discuss the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our West Alton, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients with many forms of arthritis in the West Alton, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an average of 27 million Americans alone. While it presents differently in different people, symptoms commonly include joint stiffness, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint. Overtime, the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

Medical professionals 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 West Alton, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in 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 additional symptoms beyond of joint pain and stiffness, such as loss of appetite and fatigue.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends using what is known as the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. With your goal in mind, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in West Alton, MO that addresses that goal 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 learn that you may be looking at a future of permanent joint damage. The progression of your disease depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Do not put off getting treatment in West Alton, MO for your arthritis.

There are many different diseases that fall under the category of arthritis, and 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 with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in West Alton, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — reducing joint degeneration, preserving your mobility, and getting rid of pain.

The most effective arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based primarily on what kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend medications such as NSAIDs, topical counterirritants, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some are largely meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research shows that moderate, low-impact physical activity is beneficial to joints and is instrumental to managing arthritis. Your West Alton, MO physical and/or occupational therapy arthritis treatment will be a comprehensive plan made up of several modalities and manual therapies as well as education, exercises to do at home, lifestyle modifications, and assistive devices. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, customized approach and presents minimal 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 doctors and other members of your West Alton, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on 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. 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 West Alton, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline concerned with movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve your quality of life by employing a combination of safe, proven treatment methods. Our West Alton, MO physical therapists 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 West Alton, MO, you will be matched with a joint expert with experience treating arthritis for West Alton, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will develop an individualized arthritis treatment plan that meets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and 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 environment to help you remain independent and free from pain.

In addition to the various modalities your West Alton, MO physical therapist will use to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical part of your arthritis treatment. As movement health experts who specialist in the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will assist you in accomplishing the following:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make adjustments around the house to make your daily activities easier
Find the right diet

The West Alton, 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, 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 approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy patients are able to enjoy a number of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your West Alton, MO arthritis treatment, 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 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 West Alton, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What can I do to support my West Alton, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The outlook of your West Alton, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active participation, including adhering to home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near West Alton, MO that are comfortable with and trust to 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 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 West Alton, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the West Alton, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. 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.