Rheumatoid arthritis is a common condition in Bangladesh. According to Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), there are more than 100 forms of arthritis. Among them rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type.
Women are more affected than men in this condition. Most commonly affected joints are small joints. People think medication is the best way to protect the pain. A recent report says that taking over-the-counter tablets for everyday pain could do more harm than good. Hence Occupational Therapy is the best way to treat the arthritic patients besides medication.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But with proper treatment, a strategy for joint protection and changes in lifestyle, you can live a long, productive life with this condition.
Occupational therapists specialise in maximising your independence. They can assess your ability to perform the activities of daily living. If doing routine things around the house or at work becomes harder, an occupational therapist can probably help. They have many tools at their disposal.
Symptoms of Arthritis include:
l Joint stiffness (limited movement)
l Resting type of pain
l Malaise
l Fatigue
l Wasting of the muscles around the joint
l Anemia
l Inflammation of the synovial joint
Deformities of rheumatoid arthritis are following:
c Boutonniere deformity
c Swan neck deformity
c Ulnar deviation
c Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
c Flexor tendon nodules
c Wrist and MCP subluxation
c Trigger finger
c Intrinsic and extrinsic muscle tightness
c Laxity of collateral ligament
Occupational Therapy works …
l To decrease inflammation, prevent deformity and maintain function for persons with arthritis.
l An occupational therapist will evaluate self-care, childcare, home management, work and leisure activities.
l A home or work-site evaluation may be helpful to analyse your tasks and recommend modifications.
Try the following occupational therapy strategies…
1. Joint protection
Proper body mechanics should be used in all daily activities to reduce joint stress, decrease pain, prevent deformity and conserve energy. For example:
l Avoid tight grasp and pressure along the thumb side of the hand that may contribute to deformity, i.e. pick up a cup or bowl using two hands.
l Reduce muscle effort and increase strength by using tools with built-up handles; for example, scissors, utensils.
l At work, pick up books or files with straight fingers or between palms rather than grasping with bent fingers.
l Locate work directly in front of you, not to one side. Avoid twisting movements by centring your body to your work.
l Avoid prolonged standing or sitting positions to minimise muscle stiffness, pain and fatigue. Use a timer to remind you to change position.
l Use the strongest joints available for the activity; lift with leg muscles not your back. Roll objects rather than lift them and use a trolley.
2. Planning ahead
Organise your tasks to save time and energy, and reduce fatigue; for example:
l Identify priorities in work, home and leisure activities. Schedule your activities throughout the week to ensure a balance of activity and rest, light and heavy tasks.
l Pace yourself to prevent overdoing activity. Determine your realistic tolerance for activities. Learn to alternate work with short, frequent rest breaks.
l Keep a schedule on the refrigerator to remind you and your family of everyone's responsibilities.
l Plan your activities first to avoid extra trips; for example, create a grocery list according to the aisles where the products are located to prevent unnecessary walking.
l Discuss options for flexibility in work schedules and tasks with your employer to allow you to plan for changes in function that come with arthritis.
3. Modifying your environment
An occupational therapist can work with you to find the right assistive device and method to make any activity easier to do; for example:
l The layout of a workstation should be organised so that frequently used objects are located between shoulder and hip level. Heavier items should be located at waist level.
l Dycem, a non-slip plastic material, can be used to stabilise objects such as a mixing bowl or plate.
l A reacher can compensate for loss of movement; for example, to retrieve clothes from the dryer.
l Lightweight equipment such as kettle, iron, and cookware can reduce the energy demands and compensate for weak muscles.
l A raised toilet seat and bath bench can make it easier and safer to stand up.
The writer is Occupational Therapist, Proyash,Savar Cantonment, Savar, Dhaka. Email:rabeya1988@gmail.com
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Occupational Therapy
FE Team | Published: August 16, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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