How Occupational Therapy Can Help Manage Arthritis Pain
Living with arthritis can make everyday activities feel like monumental tasks. If your arthritis affects your hand and wrists, even simple movements can lead to pain and frustration. That’s where occupational therapy for arthritis plays a big role in helping you regain independence and comfort–as it did for a recent patient of ours, a 52-year-old teacher we’ll call Dawn.
How Occupational Therapy Helped Dawn Manage Arthritis
The Challenges of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dawn had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her mid-forties. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the more common types of arthritis (after osteoarthritis). It’s an autoimmune condition that attacks the tissue in the joints, leading to pain and stiffness. And, as Dawn experienced, it typically starts in the small joints of the hand, wrists, and feet.
Dawn’s rheumatoid arthritis symptoms had a significant impact on her quality of life. Activities like grading papers, holding a coffee mug, and brushing her hair became much more difficult. Dawn had never considered how much she used her hands until she developed rheumatoid arthritis!
Eventually, her doctor suggested she schedule an appointment with a therapist at Go Physical Therapy. Our therapists have specialized training in the complex joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, making them an ideal choice for helping Dawn manage her pain and improve her daily function.
A Customized Treatment Plan
We began with a thorough assessment of Dawn’s pain levels, joint mobility, and daily challenges. This allowed us to create her personalized care program, which included the following:
Therapeutic Exercises to Reduce Pain
We showed Dawn targeted exercises to improve the strength and mobility in her hands, which would improve her function and help reduce her symptoms. For example, we guided her through hand stretches to ease stiffness and improve her range of motion. Grip strength exercises helped improve her hand function.
Joint Protection Techniques
Dawn also learned techniques to protect her joints and minimize stress during repetitive tasks. For example, we helped her develop a break schedule when she had to grade papers or type up lesson plans. We also showed her how to prioritize using larger joints (like her elbows) to perform tasks when possible.
These habits helped reduce discomfort and fatigue by the end of Dawn’s workday.
Bracing and Adaptive Equipment
We provided Dawn with a specialized brace that she could use during particularly bad pain flare-ups. The brace helped immobilize her joints to protect them, offering immediate relief if needed.
We also introduced Dawn to other tools to help reduce strain on her hands, like ergonomic utensils and specialized pens for grading papers without discomfort.
Dawn’s Results: The Long-Term Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
After a few months, Dawn saw significant improvements. She regained the ability to perform everyday activities with minimal pain and found joy in hobbies she thought she’d lost, like gardening. Occupational therapy for arthritis helped Dawn manage her symptoms and empowered her to maintain her independence.
Find Relief from Arthritis Pain with Occupational Therapy
If arthritis pain is holding you back, Go Physical Therapy can help. Our team of skilled therapists is dedicated to creating personalized plans that empower you to overcome challenges and embrace life fully. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn how occupational therapy for arthritis can transform your life.