RHEUMATOID arthritis patients are utterly problematic on managing their pains and anguish, as well, as being challenged on how to perform daily activities more easily. Consequently, they should worry no more as joint protection is the established top strategy on controlling the upshots of the injury.
Heavy movements like pushing, pulling, or twisting can be absolutely painful and troubling. Thus, the crucial approaches on how to shun pointlessly stressing your joints should be notably weighedup and painstakingly measured.
Furthermore, tempting to work and to frustrate the rheumatoid arthritis pain is not intended to be a tough and rigid errand but, the patients at all times should consider and think twice of the methods because they might create the pain and suffering more badly and augment the risk of increasing joint malformations.
Below are joint protection techniques to rally round you stay in control of your rheumatoid arthritis pain as retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org.
Respect the pain
If a particular activity causes joint pain, you have to alter the way you do the activity. If you choose to go on and continue with the ongoing activity despite pain, you are only damaging your joint. Forgoing the activity altogether can lead to joint stiffness through lack of use.
As a general guideline, if pain persists for one hour after you do an activity; consider changing how you do it. For example:
- Take rest breaks.
- Use adaptive tools.
- Alternate between sitting and stretching, and light and moderate activities, throughout the day.
- If you have pain in your feet, wear proper shoes. Ask your doctor or occupational therapist for specific recommendations.
Choose the strongest joint for the job
Large joints are stronger than small ones. Save your smaller, weaker points for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish, and favor large joints when possible. For example:
- Carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm.
- Carry your purse or satchel over your shoulder instead of grasping it with your hand. If your shoulder is painful, use a backpack.
- Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them.
- Use your thigh muscles to rise from a chair instead of pushing off with your hands.
Spare your fingers as much work as possible. Try to:
- Avoid prolonged pinching or gripping motions. Use less force to hold tools or equipment.
- Rest your hands flat and open rather than in a tight fist.
- Ask your doctor or occupational therapist about using especially designed devices that help spread the force throughout the palm or arm.
Use good body mechanics
If you position yourself correctly and use the muscles best suited to a task, you can minimize the stress on your joints.
Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more effectively. Try to:
- Carry heavy objects close to your chest, supporting the weight on your forearms. Keep your elbows close to your body.
- Pick up items from the floor by first bending your knees and hips, and stooping down. Or sit in a chair and bend over.
- Avoid twisting and awkward positions, such as reaching for objects in the back seat of the car from the front seat.
- Keep your hands below the “3 o’clock” and “9 o’clock” positions on the steering wheel when driving.
- Use your abdominal muscles to help you roll over when getting out of bed.
Arranging your work area wisely also can make a big difference:
- While sitting, make sure you have a good back and foot support. Your forearms and upper legs should be well-supported, resting level with the floor. You might want to raise your chair, to make it easier to get up from it.
- While typing or reading, if you type at a keyboard for long periods and your chair doesn’t have arms, consider using wrist or forearm supports. An angled work surface for reading or writing is easier on your neck.
- While standing, the height of your work surface should enable you to work comfortably without stooping.
Keep moving
Don’t give your joints the chance to become stiff – keep them moving. Try these:
- When writing or doing homework, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hands fell tired.
- If you work at a computer, do hand and thumb stretches for 10 seconds every hour to relieve those joints.
- On long car trips, take breaks every hour or two so you can get out and stretch.
- On airplanes choose aisles seats, so you can shift your legs more easily.
- When doing repetitive tasks, change your body position every 20 to 40 minutes.
Plan ahead
Organizing your time and tasks can help eliminate steps that strain your joints. Try:
- Keep your supplies within easy reach, between eye level and hip level.
- Eliminate clutter, to save time, and energy finding the items you need.
- Avoid rushing, which can increase stress and pain.
Reduce excess body weight
Excess weight puts a strain on your body, especially your lower back, hips, knees, and ankles. Losing weight can help decrease your pain and increase your energy.