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Coping
With Arthritis through
Occupational Therapy
Arthritis, which affects millions, is
a leading cause of disability in many parts of the world.
While pain and stiffness caused
by arthritis can be relieved by medications, occupational therapy
helps people with arthritis regain their mobility and independence.
It achieves this by changing any potentially harmful habits and
by protecting the joints while people do daily activities.
One aspect of occupational therapy
involves teaching people with arthritis proper joint protection
techniques, which reduce stress on joints affected by arthritis.
Carole Dodge, an occupational therapist
at the University of Michigan Health System offers the following
joint protection principles:
- Use the largest and strongest
joint possible to do a task, such as the shoulder and hip to
shut a door.
- Avoid beginning an activity that
cannot be stopped immediately if it proves to be exhausting
or beyond ability to complete.
- Use good posture.
- Control weight to reduce stress
on joints.
- Use tools with enlarged grips.
- Respect your pain. Stop if activities
such as grasping, bending or reaching cause you pain. Try to
think of alternative methods that will help protect your joints
and not cause you pain.
Dodge also offers advice on how
people with arthritis can conserve energy and decrease fatigue:
- Plan and schedule daily tasks
and activities, spreading out heavy and light tasks throughout
the day.
- Avoid rushing.
- Organize to eliminate unnecessary
tasks such as reaching or carrying. For example, slide pots
and pans from oven to sink or use a cart to clear the dinner
table.
- Try to sit when doing chores
such as ironing and washing dishes.
- Rest before you feel fatigue.
That way, you'll need less time to fully recuperate.
- Use plastic or aluminum bowls
and pans instead of cast iron or ceramic ones.
- Use electric appliances.
- Use large-handled brushes, utensils
or pens so you don't have to tightly grasp objects.
More information
Here's where you can learn more
about arthritis.
Reference
Source 101
For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
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