4 Ways to Relieve Your Arthritis Pain Using Occupational & Hand Therapy
Did you know that one of the leading causes of joint pain is osteoarthritis? More than 50 million American adults suffer from osteoarthritis. Most people believe osteoarthritis is something that only occurs in old age, but it can happen to anyone at any age!
Arthritis pain can manifest itself in the ankles, knees, elbows, hips, and, most commonly, the hands. It frequently appears as soreness and discomfort in your knuckles or wrists. You may not realize how much you rely on your hands to perform painlessly, like when you open a jar or write something down, until you experience joint pain in them.
Hand and occupational therapy are the most effective treatments for arthritis pain. Most people believe that these therapeutic treatments are only appropriate for people who have been injured or have a chronic health condition, but this is simply not true. The use of occupational therapy or hand therapy to treat arthritis pain is extremely effective and widely recommended!
Contact Ozark PT Specialists today to make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable therapists to have your arthritis condition evaluated. In no time, we’ll have you feeling more independent and functional.
Why do I have hand osteoarthritis?
The human hand has numerous joints. Hand joints are formed when two or more bones come together. We have a cushion called cartilage between our joints. Arthritis develops when the cartilage between the bones thins or wears out. This causes the bones to come into contact with one another rather than moving smoothly against one another. Hand arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of function.
Overuse, joint injury, or “wear and tear” on a joint can all lead to osteoarthritis. This may be present in all or only a few of the hand’s joints. Age, gender, and family history are all factors that may contribute to hand osteoarthritis.
Some of the symptoms of hand osteoarthritis include stiffness, pain, and weakness. Hand joints may also ache, be tender or warm to the touch, swell, or change in appearance (such as a bump forming). Hand osteoarthritis can make it difficult to perform activities like gripping or pinching.
Occupational & hand therapy can relieve arthritis pain in these 4 ways:
For those suffering from arthritis pain in their hands, occupational therapy and hand therapy can help to support healthier joint function in a variety of ways.
- It extends your range of motion. Occupational therapy is an excellent way to increase your range of motion, which in turn promotes optimal joint functionality.
- Therapy increases muscle strength, which helps to support your joints. Weakness in the surrounding muscles can put extra strain on your joints, causing joint pain even with minor movements like writing or picking up an object.
- It uses specialized treatments to alleviate your pain. Hot and cold therapy, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic care all help to relieve arthritis pain. These techniques are widely used by hand therapists.
- Occupational therapists are skilled at pinpointing the source of joint pain. An environmental factor may occasionally cause arthritis pain. Working with an experienced occupational therapist can help you figure out what’s causing your pain. Your therapist can assist you in making changes to your environment to reduce your level of discomfort.
Choose therapy for relief from arthritis
Despite the fact that women are more likely than men to experience joint pain, statistics show that nearly two-thirds of people suffering from arthritis are of working age. This means that, regardless of gender, people between the ages of 20 and 65 are most likely to develop this type of pain.
It is critical to learn how to manage arthritis head-on, and while pain medications can help reduce the amount of pain you feel, pills do not solve the problem. This is why occupational and hand therapy are widely regarded as the most effective treatments for arthritis joint pain.
Contact Ozark PT Specialists today
The beauty of occupational and hand therapy is that they are both targeted and personalized treatment options designed to meet your specific needs. If you are suffering from chronic joint pain that is interfering with your daily life, it is time to seek medical attention.
No matter your age, consulting a hand or occupational therapist is the best way to ensure your treatment is tailored to your needs. Contact Ozark PT Specialists today for more information on scheduling an appointment with one of our skilled therapists so you can get back to doing what you enjoy without the pain of arthritis.