Arthritis Treatment Woodhine Heights, MO

Arthritis Treatment Woodhine Heights, MO. Living with arthritis in Woodhine Heights, 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 Woodhine 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 poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of patients living with arthritis in Woodhine Heights, MO 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 Woodhine Heights, MO: An Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. An estimated 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.

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 Woodhine Heights, MO, you are not just a number. Our physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Woodhine Heights, MO area have dedicated their clinical careers to providing arthritis treatment to individuals with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes near Woodhine Heights, MO, you are assigned a personal, dedicated arthritis treatment therapist who knows how to address your condition and will approach your case using a treatment plan as unique as you are.

Types of Arthritis

According to the CDC, there are in excess of one hundred conditions that are grouped under the categorization arthritis. Each diagnosis is characterized by their own causes and treatment methods, but in general, they all share the common traits of joint stiffness and inflammation. Getting the safest and most effective arthritis treatment in Woodhine Heights, MO for you depends in part on getting a timely and accurate diagnosis that allows you and your treatment team to grasp your condition.

There are numerous diagnoses that are considered arthritis, and some are more common than others. We provide basic descriptions of the two top kinds of arthritis below. By understanding the unique causes, mechanics, and outlook of each disease, our Woodhine Heights, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are skilled in effectively treating countless patients with various types of arthritis in the Woodhine Heights, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, reaching an average of 27 million Americans alone. While different people experience osteoarthritis in different ways, common symptoms include stiffness of the joint or joints, pain, and swelling. Your osteoarthritis can affect any part of the joint, as tissue in the cartilage, tendons, and/or bones breakdown over time.

Peer-reviewed sources highly recommend physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients in Woodhine 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. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, gradually moving farther to damage 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 not directly related to the joint, such as loss of appetite and low energy.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the treat-to-target approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Following the treat-to-target method, your treatment team works toward a specific goal: either reaching remission or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Woodhine Heights, 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 find out that you could be looking at a future of irreversible 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 Woodhine Heights, MO 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 is to act quickly and focus on moving forward by finding the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment team in Woodhine Heights, MO and sufficient early education, you have the power to make an impact on your arthritis — slowing down permanent joint damage, improving your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment option for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and any other health conditions or complications you might have. Often, an arthritis treatment plan features one or more of the following:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe or recommend the use of NSAIDs, counterirritant creams and ointments, steroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Each medication comes with its own risks involved and possible negative side effects. Some are really only effective in alleviating the symptoms of your arthritis, though 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 is beneficial to joints and helps manage arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Woodhine Heights, 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 approach that is tailored to the individual and poses little associated risk for most patients.
Surgery. Surgery treatment for arthritis is usually used for arthritis patients whose conditions have been unresponsive to other more conservative arthritis treatment methods. Your doctors and other members of your Woodhine Heights, MO arthritis treatment team have a responsibility to consider and make you aware of all of the benefits and associated risks of undergoing a surgical operation. Surgical procedures 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 Woodhine Heights, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in movement health. The job of a physical therapist is to improve the quality of life of their patients by using evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Woodhine Heights, 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 Woodhine Heights, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Woodhine Heights, MO patients. Your dedicated physical therapist will design a tailored arthritis treatment plan that targets your specific 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 habits and living conditions to help you remain independent and free from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Woodhine Heights, MO physical therapist may employ in order to target your arthritis symptoms or minimize the degeneration of your joints, educating you is another critical part of your arthritis treatment. As experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system, your physical therapist for arthritis treatment will guide you to:

Correct posture and gait
Find the right assistive devices such as shoe inserts and braces.
Make changes around the house to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Woodhine 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:

How can physical therapy arthritis treatment help me?

Ultimately, the purpose of physical therapy for treating arthritis is to treat symptoms or keep the disease from progressing. Because of physical therapists’ approach based in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of benefits. When you turn to Axes Physical Therapy for your Woodhine Heights, 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

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 Woodhine Heights, MO arthritis treatment needs.

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

The success of your Woodhine Heights, MO arthritis treatment requires your active involvement, which includes following through on exercises and changes to your lifestyle your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Woodhine Heights, MO arthritis treatment team and 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
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid stress
Practice good posture
Practice good sleep hygiene
Make modifications to your home environment
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 Woodhine Heights, MO

Get quality arthritis treatment from the leading physical and occupational therapists of the Woodhine Heights, MO area at Axes Physical Therapy. As a part of your arthritis treatment team, you will work closely with a dedicated physical therapist who specializes 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.