In the care of arthritis, occupational therapy aims at;

  • Preventing joint pain and deformities, which includes making appropriate splints.
  • Maintaining joint mobility (ROM), including hand rehabilitation and post-operative treatment if required
  • Improving overall physical endurance
  • Helping with functional ability, which includes providing suitable adaptive equipment and devices.
  • Assisting to problem solve how to modify daily activities at home or work to protect joints and conserve energy

Here are some tips to help you cope with Arthritis:

  • respect pain and thus stop doing an activity if it causes pain
  • balance activity and rest ( work rest work rest principle)
  • use correct patterns of motion when moving
  • exercise in the range of motion where you dont have pain
  • use adaptive equipment if necessary
  • avoid maintaining one position (eg standing) for prolonged periods of time.
  • try not to do a task that cannot be stopped if it proves to be painful