According to mayoclinic.org, arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide, but there are a variety of approaches to minimize the effects. Recently, NAU occupational therapy instructor and certified hand therapist, Dr. Ivy, Cindi, presented an educational seminar on hand arthritis treatment and management. Because the hand arthritis event was so well-received and not everyone was able attend Dr. Ivy's seminar, Dr. Ivy will be available for individuals to drop in and learn personalized tips for hand arthritis management on August 31st from 1:30-2:00PM in AgeLink 1.
For those who experience arthritis in any form, success Matters would like to offer you four general tips to reduce the pain and stiffness:
Warm up: Warm up before doing an arduous activity with the affected joints. This can be done by using heat (heating pad, warm shower, or Beatitudes hot tub) to begin warming up the joints, followed by gently stretching and moving the joint through its full range of motion several times. After a proper warm-up, your joints will be ready for activity with less pain and stiffness.
Protect your joints: Joint protection involves using the bigger muscles to do challenging or repetitive tasks. For example, carry objects close to the body so less stress is put on the smaller joints, use proper posture, and use simpler push/pull movements rather than twisting movements whenever possible. Additionally, wearing a brace, such as a back brace or wrist brace, during activities can help ensure proper body mechanics and joint support.
Find the right tool for the job: Built-up tools (pictured) create a larger surface area, which puts less stress on the fingers and wrist. Other practical tools, such as reachers or long handled tools, help users avoid strain from bending or reaching, and some tools like the bottle opener pictured, allow for a push/pull movement rather than a twisting movement.
Move it or lose it: The most important principle of arthritis management is to keep the joints moving. While our instinct can be to avoid using a joint when we have pain or stiffness, over time, this will lead to muscle loss, increased stiffness, and as a result, more pain. It's important to interrupt this cycle by incorporating the appropriate amount of activity, stretches, and exercises to keep the joints strong and mobile for the long-term.
We hope you'll use these tips to minimize the effects of arthritis, and consider dropping by Age Link Classroom1 on August 31st from 1:30-2PM for hand arthritis advice from guest Dr. Cindy Ivy.*
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