Arthritis Treatment Wright City, MO

Arthritis Treatment Wright City, MO. Living with arthritis in Wright City, MO? After being diagnosed, it is important that you find a treatment plan that works for you. Occupational and physical therapy help millions of patients receive effective arthritis treatment. Find out more about these and other important pieces of an arthritis treatment plan in Wright City, MO here, or contact Axes Physical Therapy today to discuss how our joint and movement experts can help improve your quality of life.

With fifteen area locations and counting, Axes Physical Therapy is poised to serve the arthritis treatment needs of hundreds of individuals in the Wright City, MO area and throughout Eastern Missouri. Discover our facilities nearest you or begin your path to a more mobile and independent life with arthritis by requesting an appointment now.

Arthritis Treatment Wright City, MO: A Background on Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a physical condition characterized by joint inflammation. Somewhere around 58.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with a type of arthritis, and nearly half of them — around 25.7 million — report that their condition have a severe impact on their ability to operate and execute daily tasks. 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.

The numbers illustrate the reach arthritis has, but , but when it comes to your own condition, your experience is unique. When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for arthritis treatment near you in the Wright City, MO area, you are more than a number. Our team of Wright City, MO area physical and occupational therapists have years of clinical experience caring for arthritis patients with the arthritis treatment plan designed for their specific diagnosis and goals. When you entrust Axes for your Wright City, MO arthritis treatment, you are assigned a personal, 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

According to the CDC, there are more than one hundred conditions that fall under the category of 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 right arthritis treatment in Wright City, MO for you requires getting a timely and 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 briefly examine the two most common forms of arthritis. By becoming experts on the specific etiology, trajectory, and outlook of each condition, our Wright City, MO physical therapists and occupational therapists are able to provide successful treatment for many patients living with many types of arthritis in the Wright City, MO area.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring form of arthritis, reaching an estimated 27 million individuals in the United States. While it presents differently in different people, 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.

Medical professionals 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 Wright City, MO.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: an inflammatory autoimmune joint condition. 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 works in a symmetrical fashion, such as in both right and left knees or both wrists. Patients may experience other symptoms beyond of joint inflammation, 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 a specific goal: either eliminating symptoms or reaching lower disease activity. Once we know what your goal is, we will design an arthritis treatment plan in Wright City, MO that addresses that goal and measure progress through periodic tests.

Arthritis Treatment Options

Everyone has their own way of processing receiving a diagnosis like arthritis. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless when you be told 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 Wright City, MO for your arthritis.

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 key is to act quickly and focus on moving forward with the best possible arthritis treatment for your condition and needs. With a sound arthritis treatment plan in Wright City, MO and sufficient early education, you can have a positive impact on your arthritis. You will work toward slowing down permanent joint degeneration, increasing your mobility, and decreasing pain.

The best arthritis treatment method for you is decided based on many factors, including the kind of arthritis you have and what other health problems you face. Often, an arthritis treatment plan consists of 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). These medications vary in the level of risk involved and the potential for side effects. Some of these medications are really meant to address the symptoms of your arthritis, though steroid injections and DMARDs can actually slow your disease progression.
Physical or Occupational Therapy. Research tells us that gentle, low-impact activity benefits the joints and is instrumental to living with arthritis. As part of your comprehensive arthritis treatment plan in Wright City, MO, you will work with your physical or occupational therapist to receive manual care techniques in addition to education, home exercises, guidance on changes to your lifestyle, 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 usually reserved for arthritis patients when other forms of arthritis treatment have been unsuccessful. Your Wright City, MO arthritis treatment team of medical professionals has a responsibility to consider and educate you on all of the possible benefits and associated complications of receiving surgery. Surgical procedures for 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 for post- and pre-operative treatment.

Physical Therapy Arthritis Treatment in Wright City, MO

Physical therapy is a medical discipline based in the musculoskeletal disorders and movement health. A physical therapist’s charge is to improve the quality of life of their patients through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods. Our Wright City, MO physical therapists treat patients of all ages, genders, fitness levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and medical diagnoses, including different types of arthritis.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Wright City, MO, you will be matched with a movement specialist with experience treating arthritis for Wright City, MO patients. Your personal physical therapist will create a personalized arthritis treatment plan that targets your exact needs. We will work closely with you and with the rest of your medical arthritis treatment team to select the appropriate physical therapy treatment modalities, home exercises and education, and modifications to your home and lifestyle in an effort to maintain a life of independence and freedom from pain.

Along with the hands-on care your Wright City, MO physical therapist may employ in order to treat your arthritis symptoms or minimize the progression of the disease, education is another critical piece of the arthritis treatment puzzle. As movement health experts who specialist in 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 changes around your home to make household tasks easier
Find the right diet

The Wright City, 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, physical therapy as a treatment for arthritis aims to treat symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. Because of physical therapists’ background in movement science and an in-depth knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system, physical therapy offers a number of advantages. As an arthritis treatment patient at Axes Physical Therapy near Wright City, 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

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 Wright City, MO arthritis treatment needs.

What things can I do at home to support my Wright City, MO arthritis treatment plan?

The success of your Wright City, MO arthritis treatment is dependent upon your active involvement, including adhering to exercises and any lifestyle modifications your arthritis treatment team prescribes. It is important that you trust your Wright City, 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
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 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 Wright City, MO

Come to Axes Physical therapy for the best quality physical therapy arthritis treatment in the Wright City, MO area. 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.