Along with beautiful spring blooms, May is also Arthritis Awareness Month. The timing is fitting—warmer weather encourages outdoor activity, but for those suffering from arthritis pain, movement can be a challenge. If you know, you know!
Arthritis: A Growing Concern
The CDC estimates that 58.5 million adults in the U.S. have arthritis. This condition can significantly impact quality of life, making it frustrating to stay active while managing pain and mobility limitations.
Most Common Areas of the Body Affected by Arthritis:
- Hands & Wrists
- Knees
- Ankles & Feet
- Lower Back
- Shoulders
Is Arthritis Preventable?
While arthritis isn’t entirely preventable, you can reduce your risk and symptoms with these lifestyle choices:
- Stay active and exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Follow a balanced diet
- Get adequate sleep
- Manage stress effectively
- Protect joints from injury (use braces if recommended and practice proper posture)
- Avoid smoking
Arthritis Treatment Options
Managing arthritis effectively can help improve daily life. Common treatments include:
- Rehabilitation therapies
- Medication management
- Home modifications & adaptive equipment
- Health monitoring
- Pain relief strategies
- Support with daily activities
- Balance & fall prevention programs
Tips for Living Better with Arthritis
- Consult your doctor or nurse practitioner
- Engage in low-impact activities (swimming, walking, yoga, or water aerobics)
- Ask for help/hiring a home care service for chores that worsen symptoms
- Increase muscle strength through tailored exercises
- Stretch daily
- Use heat & cold therapy to ease discomfort
How CaringEdge Can Help
Physical and occupational therapy are a part of home health services provided by CaringEdge. These helpful therapies can help you maintain or regain your abilities, reduce pain, and help patients adapt their movements to minimize discomfort.
What Happens in a Therapy Evaluation?
- A medical history review
- An analysis of your current condition
- A conversation on how arthritis affects your daily life
- Range of motion & strength testing
- Gait speed, balance, and posture analysis
- Joint and muscle condition examination
- Personal goal setting
Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy (PT) can help patients with arthritis move more comfortably, reducing their pain. It can also help patients increase their strength to reduce future complications.
By observing how you move in your home environment, physical therapists (PTs) can understand your needs and what movements might be causing you pain. PTs can recommend alternative ways to move, sit, or stand to reduce discomfort.
Methods to Reduce Pain
Your PT may recommend:
- Hot & cold therapy
- A referral for a brace, splint, walker, or cane & training on their proper use
- That you sit and stand with proper posture
- Home modifications, such as adding a mat to your kitchen to stand on while washing dishes, for more support
Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
Through targeted activities, occupational therapy (OT) helps individuals improve independence and function. If you struggle with any of the following, OT may be beneficial:
Endurance & Balance
- Enhance the ability to do grooming tasks (shaving, brushing teeth, etc.) while standing
- Walk without frequent breaks
- Complete morning routines without excessive fatigue
- Access items around the home (closet, fridge, bathroom cupboards)
- Improve mobility and reduce fall risks
Coordination
- Reduce the risk of dropping items (utensils, toothbrushes, newspapers)
- Improve grip strength for opening containers
- Enhance multitasking skills (holding a drink while taking medication)
Home Safety Modifications
Your physical and occupational therapists can help:
- Identify fall risks (narrow walkways, clutter, unsafe furniture placement)
- Optimize furniture arrangement for better accessibility
- Make recommendations for durable medical equipment to make the home safe (Ex, grab bars, shower chairs, or raised toilets)
Take the Next Step with CaringEdge
Don’t let arthritis hold you back. Contact CaringEdge today at info@caringedge.com to schedule a therapy evaluation and regain control of your mobility and daily activities. Our home health and therapies can help you meet the goals that are important to YOU.