ARTHRITIS can be worsened by not looking after the joints properly, so it’s important to protect them in order to control the condition and alleviate pain. Follow these five tips.
Arthritis affects more than 10 million people in the UK. The condition is lifelong and causes pain, inflammation and stiffness of certain joints.
Looking after the joints can help control arthritis and prevent pain when using them, so it’s important to take measures to protect them.
“The way you use your joints can increase the aches, pain and strain that you feel and, over time, it can increase any deformity. This is why you should take notice of pain,” said Versus Arthritis.
Avoid gripping things tightly
Gripping objects tightly, such as a pen when writing or screwdriver when doing DIY, puts strain on the knuckles and thumb joints, which can increase pain and cause further joint damage.
To reduce the strain, take breaks frequently and rest your hands, try to relax your grip, and use padding on the object you are using to make the grip larger.
Avoid gripping too hard when writing (Image: Getty Images)
Spread the load
When carrying heavy items, spread the load over several joints by using two hands and keeping as much of your hands as possible in contact with the object.
Avoid gripping with your thumbs as this will put strain on the thumb joints. Try to keep the thumbs as relaxed as possible so as to prevent further damage.
Use stronger joints
Depending on which joints are affected by arthritis, you could try using other joints to do certain tasks in order to reduce the burden on the weaker joints.
For example, if you have arthritis in the hands, use your hip or shoulder to close a drawer or door instead.
When carrying large objects, hug them close to your body, and carry bags on your forearms instead of shoulders if you have shoulder pain.
Use splints and supports
Splints can help ease strain and pain in the joints. Working splints, for example, such as elastic wrist and thumb splints, provide more flexible support to help reduce pain while working.
Resting splints, which consist of custom-made cradles with straps to hold them in place, can help if you have pain at night which affects your sleep.
Compression gloves can also be helpful in reducing pain and swelling, and are easier to wear than splints.
Use less effort
Try using ‘labour-saving gadgets’ like vegetable peelers with chunky non-slip handles and electric can openers, to take excess pressure of the joints in the hands.
When moving heavy items, use a trolley or wheelbarrow to shift them instead of lifting and carrying them.
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1046256/arthritis-rheumatoid-versus-arthritis-pain-protect-joints
Looking after the joints can help control arthritis and prevent pain when using them, so it’s important to take measures to protect them.
“The way you use your joints can increase the aches, pain and strain that you feel and, over time, it can increase any deformity. This is why you should take notice of pain,” said Versus Arthritis.
Avoid gripping things tightly
Gripping objects tightly, such as a pen when writing or screwdriver when doing DIY, puts strain on the knuckles and thumb joints, which can increase pain and cause further joint damage.
To reduce the strain, take breaks frequently and rest your hands, try to relax your grip, and use padding on the object you are using to make the grip larger.
Spread the load
When carrying heavy items, spread the load over several joints by using two hands and keeping as much of your hands as possible in contact with the object.
Avoid gripping with your thumbs as this will put strain on the thumb joints. Try to keep the thumbs as relaxed as possible so as to prevent further damage.
Use stronger joints
Depending on which joints are affected by arthritis, you could try using other joints to do certain tasks in order to reduce the burden on the weaker joints.
For example, if you have arthritis in the hands, use your hip or shoulder to close a drawer or door instead.
When carrying large objects, hug them close to your body, and carry bags on your forearms instead of shoulders if you have shoulder pain.
Use splints and supports
Splints can help ease strain and pain in the joints. Working splints, for example, such as elastic wrist and thumb splints, provide more flexible support to help reduce pain while working.
Resting splints, which consist of custom-made cradles with straps to hold them in place, can help if you have pain at night which affects your sleep.
Compression gloves can also be helpful in reducing pain and swelling, and are easier to wear than splints.
Use less effort
Try using ‘labour-saving gadgets’ like vegetable peelers with chunky non-slip handles and electric can openers, to take excess pressure of the joints in the hands.
When moving heavy items, use a trolley or wheelbarrow to shift them instead of lifting and carrying them.
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1046256/arthritis-rheumatoid-versus-arthritis-pain-protect-joints
No comments:
Post a Comment