Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness and/or swelling in the joints. Living with these symptoms in one or more joints will negatively impact a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) making life challenging and frustrating. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are more than 100 conditions that can be described as being arthritis. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over 50 million people in the United States are currently living with an arthritic condition.
Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic of the joints. Often known as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis, it occurs when the cartilage between joints breaks down which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is when the body’s immune system attacks the joints. This causes inflammation of the tissue lining the joints, resulting in pain and swelling.
According to the CDC, treatment for arthritis focuses on controlling pain, minimizing joint damage, and improvement of quality of life. Occupational and Physical Therapists are often asked what is the best way to control a painful arthritic condition.
Arthritis Relief
Regarding use of heat or ice, the answer is whatever makes it feel better. For some, application of moist heat or a paraffin wax bath treatment can help alleviate pain, while for another person ice may be more effective. In addition, creams, lotions, and balms are beneficial with reducing or controlling arthritic pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation many studies have shown that capsaicin cream, which can be found over the counter at any drugstore, effectively reduces pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Capsaicin is the highly purified heat-producing component in chili peppers. Applied as a topical cream, it can block pain messages to your nerves, thus relieving pain.
Adaptive Devices Behavior modification is an effective, proactive way both decrease symptoms and prevent additional flare ups. With the assistance of adaptive devices, everyday activities can be made easier to manager with arthritis, which may include:
- Using utensils with buildup handles to make eating easier
- Using pens and pencils with thicker barrels that make grasping easier
- Using gripping aids, such as dycem, to help perform grasping activities with less effort
Exercise and Arthritis
People often ask if exercise is good for people living with an arthritic condition. According to the CDC research shows that arthritis-friendly physical activity is good for people with arthritis. Moderate physical activity 5 or more days a week can help to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness and give you more energy. Regular physical activity can also lift your mood and make you feel more positive.
At Penn Therapy & Fitness, outpatient therapy treatment plans include an exercise regimen involving gentle range of motion and/or isometric therapy in addition to joint protection techniques.
Bracing and Splints
Custom made brace or split orthosis can be made to ease arthritis in the hand, wrist and elbow joints. The orthosis can include one or multiple joints which protect the painful area and allow rest to decrease swelling. It can be worn as needed to control pain during the day and at night to provide stability and support.
Our expert physical and occupational therapists treat orthopedic conditions and injuries involving your bones, muscles, ligaments or joints than can cause pain, inflammation, restriction, joint instability, weakness, and more.