Arthritis Treatment Winchester, MO

Arthritis Treatment Winchester, MO. Living with arthritis in Winchester, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a sound treatment plan. Occupational and physical therapy are effective arthritis treatment options for millions of arthritis patients. Learn more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Winchester, 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.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is capable of meeting the arthritis treatment needs of countless individuals in the Winchester, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Explore our facilities nearest you or take the first step toward a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Winchester, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis describes a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 58.5 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis, and of them, almost half — about 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 when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Winchester, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Winchester, 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 Winchester, 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 joint stiffness and inflammation. Landing on the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Winchester, MO for you requires getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding 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 causes, mechanics, and outlook of each type of arthritis, our Winchester, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating many patients living with various types of arthritis in the Winchester, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring type of arthritis, affecting an average of 27 million individuals in the United States. While people with the disease may differ in their experience of osteoarthritis, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and redness and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected joint(s) can wear down.

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 Winchester, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining found in joints, gradually moving farther to damage the rest of the joints, including bones and ligaments. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms not directly related to the joint, 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. In this treatment model, your treatment team works toward one of two goals: either eliminating symptoms or lowering disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Winchester, 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 is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you learn that you may be living with permanent joint damage. The rate at which your joints break down depends, in part, on what you do after you’ve been diagnosed. Begin treatment in Winchester, MO as soon as possible for your arthritis.

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 important thing after diagnosis is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment that targets your condition and addresses your needs. With a strong arthritis treatment plan in Winchester, MO and early education about your disease and how to care for yourself, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — reducing permanent damage, maintaining your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment solution for you is decided based primarily on the type of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features a combination of any 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 amount of risk involved and possible side effects. Some are really meant to address your arthritis symptoms. Others, like steroid injections and DMARDs have been shown to slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Ample peer-reviewed studies show that moderate, low-impact physical activity promotes joint heath and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Winchester, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques as well as education, exercises to do at home, 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 is usually reserved for arthritis patients whose conditions have not responded to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Winchester, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to explore and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated complications of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgeries to treat 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 Winchester, MO

Physical therapy is a non-invasive healthcare discipline based in movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. The Winchester, MO physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy improve the lives of 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.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Winchester, MO, you will be matched with a movement expert with experience treating arthritis for Winchester, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work with you one-on-one and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the most fitting physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your habits and living conditions in an effort to maximize your quality of life.

Along with the hands-on care your Winchester, MO physical therapist will use in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical part of the arthritis treatment puzzle. 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 Winchester, 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 can physical therapy as arthritis treatment do for me?

Ultimately, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to eliminate symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ 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 advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Winchester, 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 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 Winchester, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Winchester, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, which includes following through on home exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. You must find an arthritis treatment team near Winchester, 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:

Stay 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
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 Winchester, MO

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

Arthritis Treatment Winchester, MO