Did you know that osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of joint pain? It’s true. Osteoarthritis affects more than 50 million American adults and is also the leading cause of disability in the United States. Most people believe it’s something that people only experience with old age, but it can actually happen to anyone at any age!
Arthritis can come from pain in the ankles, knees, elbows, hips, and most commonly, in the hands. Oftentimes, it manifests as soreness and discomfort in your knuckles or wrists as you try to open a jar or write something down with a pen. There’s a good chance you won’t realize how much you depend on your hands to perform painlessly until you’re experiencing joint pain in them daily.
The best treatments for pain caused by arthritis is hand and occupational therapy. Most people think that these therapeutic treatments are only suitable for those who have suffered an injury or have a chronic health condition, but this simply isn’t true. Using occupational therapy or hand therapy for the treatment of arthritis pain is very effective and widely recommended!
Our innovative care strategies at Hand In Hand Rehabilitation will help you find quick relief. Call our clinic today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled therapists to have your arthritis condition assessed. We’ll have you feeling more independent and functional in no time.
What causes osteoarthritis in the hand?
There are many joints in the human hand. Joints in the hand are formed where two or more bones meet. In between the joints, we have a cushion called cartilage. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage between bones becomes thin or worn out. This allows the bones to touch and not move smoothly against one another. Arthritis in the hand may lead to pain, stiffness, and loss of function.
Osteoarthritis is caused by overuse, an injury to a joint, or “wear and tear” on a joint. This may be present in all joints of the hand or only a few. Other factors that may contribute to osteoarthritis in the hand are age, gender, and family history.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hand?
Stiffness, pain, and weakness are some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hand. Joints in the hand may also have a deep ache, be tender or warm to the touch, develop swelling or have a change in appearance, such as a bump. Osteoarthritis in the hand may make it difficult to perform activities, such as gripping or pinching.
4 Ways Occupational Therapy Can Relieve Arthritis Pain:
Occupational therapy can help to support healthier joint function in a variety of ways for those living with arthritis pain in their hands.
- It targets your pain through specialized treatments. Hot and cold therapy, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic care all provide optimal pain relief from arthritis. Many occupational therapists utilize these forms of therapy.
- Occupational therapy improves muscle strength, which supports your joints. Weakness in the surrounding muscles can put extra stress on your joints, thereby causing you to experience more joint pain during the smallest movements, like writing or picking up an object.
- It improves your range of motion. Occupational therapy is a great way to improve your range of motion, which in turn supports optimal joint functionality.
- Occupational therapists are experts at targeting the source of joint pain. Occasionally arthritis pain may be triggered by an environmental factor. Working with an experienced occupational therapist can provide insight into the cause of your pain. Your occupational therapist can help you make adjustments to environmental factors to decrease your level of discomfort.
Choosing therapy for arthritis pain
Though women are more likely to experience joint pain than men, statistics show almost two-thirds of people dealing with pain from arthritis are of working age. This means regardless of gender, those between the ages of 20 and 65 are actually at the greatest risk of developing this type of pain.
Learning how to manage arthritis head-on is important, and while pain medications can help to reduce the amount of pain you feel, pills don’t fix the problem. This is why occupational and hand therapy are commonly referred to as the best solutions for the treatment of arthritis joint pain.
Call our clinic today for an appointment
The beauty of occupational therapy is that it is a targeted and personalized treatment created to meet your individual needs. If you are experiencing regular joint pain that is interrupting your life, then it’s time to look for help.
No matter what age you are, the correct way to ensure that your treatment is right for your personal needs is to consult a hand or occupational therapist. Contact our office today for more information on setting up an appointment with an occupational therapist, so you can get back to doing the things you love.
