The Value and Education Provided from Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy for Arthritis

The value of Occupational Terapy; Help to Make Life a Little Simpler

Specialized Education is Provided by an Occupational Therapist

 I remember our first visit to an Occupational Therpaist; it was a good experience and she was able to shed a lot of light of what would help make our lives make simpler.

Physical therapy and occupational therapies are an integral part of healing and making adjustments for anyone with arthritis.  This  therapy helps  maintain joint mobility and range of motion and she will discuss the types of  therapy most suited to your needs and type pf arthritis you have. 

 After the diagnosis of arthritis,  treatment should begin immediately and modifications to be made in your home should be suggested. This measure will help that the disease does not progress any further than necessary and to keep pain at a minimum.  The occupational therapist will teach you how to reduce the strain on your joints as you go through your day-to-day activities.  You will be given tips on modifying your home and your workspace environments so the motions that aggravate your arthritis are reduced. They might suggest splint for hands and wrists and provide devices to help you drive in the car. The splints are specially fitted by taking a mold of your hands in plaster and then a fitting made of a breathable plastic held on with a velcro fastener for ease of removal. The splints are usually for sleepin and help hold the hand straight to avoid the turn curling in the night.

 They can also provide advice  with bathing, housekeeping, and other daily activities, such as the suggestion of using certain can opneners, changing door handles such as the pull down as opposed to door knobs which are difficult to turn. There are many gadgets now available and I have picked out a line for you to view, which includes many of the items we have in our home to make life simpler.

So go ahead and make the adjustments, invest in a few good tools and gadgets and make life as simple as possible.

There are certain goals that occupational therapy strives to meet for people who have arthritis.  These goals of treatment include preventing loss of use of your joints. They want to restore abilities you once had but are unable to do today.  They will help you adapt to new levels of activities and maintain a proper fitness plan.  You will also be able to take part in activities without relying on others for assistance.

Physical therapy should be started as quickly as possible.  The sooner it begins then you will be able to reduce pain caused from inflammation.  This will help you prevent any deformities and permanent joint stiffness.  You will learn to maintain the strength in surrounding muscles of the joints.

When you endure physical therapy then you will also be educated everything about your arthritis.  This will make you informed of your health care.

You can also get proper foot care advice so you know how to find the right fitting shoes  for your feet.  If you have arthritis in your feet then you will need to know this information.  You should find shock absorbing outer soles that are sculptured insoles.  These are molded exactly to match each foot and provide the most cushioning and proper support.

There are many therapeutic methods that your physical therapist will want you to practice regularly to ensure you are healthy and experience as little pain as possible.

Rest is one of the most important things you need to get and it is very therapeutic.  Bed rest can help when your joints flare up and you are in a lot of pain.  If multiple joints in your body are affected and you are experiencing from severe pain then you should get plenty of rest.  You should practice individual joint rest when arthritis only involves one joint.  There are custom splints that can be made to rest and support the joints that are inflamed.  A soft collar is used to support the neck if you are sitting or standing.