If You Have Arthritis, You May Need More than Medication

According to The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, an estimated 46 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 21 million adults.

There are over 10 commonly prescribed drugs to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis. While there are undisputed advantages associated with the miracle of medication, many rely solely on their medications for relief. What’s the problem with that? As with nearly any medical condition or ailment, there are benefits of incorporating other methods of treatment into one’s health regimen – benefits that shouldn’t be ignored.

Many times, people with arthritis have stiff joints due to the fact that they avoid movements that increase pain and discomfort. By reducing activity in the arthritic joints, however, the pain and stiffness only increase. This can be a painful and frustrating cycle.

This is where physical therapy comes in. Physical therapy is not strenuous and should not be feared by older adults. In fact, less active persons of any age group are the ones who can benefit most since the goal of physical therapy is to enable the person to perform normal, everyday activities without difficulty. A physical therapist teaches a person suffering from arthritis to work out the stiffness without further damage to the joint. Medication can’t do that.

The field of occupational therapy is less well-known by the general public, even though it has been a profession in the United States since the early 1900s. It is defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association executive board (1976) as: "The therapeutic use of work, self-care, and play activities to increase development and prevent disability. It may include adaptation of task or environment to achieve maximum independence and to enhance the quality of life." In other words, occupational therapists help the person adapt.

According to WebMD in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic, for persons with arthritis, this means that occupational therapy will teach an individual how to reduce strain on joints during daily activities. Occupational therapists demonstrate how to modify home and work environments to reduce aggravating motions. They also provide assistive devices, i.e. splints, to aid in tasks such as driving, bathing and dressing. Medication can’t do that either.

Incorporating both physical and occupational therapies is vital to achieve maximum independence and minimum discomfort. The individualized natures of these therapies allow patients to learn techniques and ask questions. Of course, as with any medical matter, consult your primary care physician first.

For more information about occupational and physical therapies for arthritis relief and/or Celtic Healthcare, please visit www.celtichealthcare.com or call 800-355-8894.