Arthritis. It’s a word we hear often, and for good reason. It affects millions of people around the world, and one of the most common and debilitating forms is osteoarthritis. When it hits your hands, the simple act of picking up a cup of coffee, typing on your keyboard, or even holding hands with a loved one can become an agonizing challenge. But there’s hope. With the right treatment and approach, you can regain strength, mobility, and confidence in your hands. One such approach? Occupational therapy.
What Is Hand Arthritis?
Before diving into how occupational therapy can help, let’s talk about arthritis in the hands. Hand arthritis typically refers to osteoarthritis (OA), which happens when the cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones in the joints can start to rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and sometimes, even deformity.
The most commonly affected areas are the joints at the base of the thumb, the knuckles, and the joints in the fingers. And as you can imagine, this can make everyday tasks—from holding a pen to turning a key—feel nearly impossible.
Why “Motion is Lotion” Matters
You may have heard the saying “motion is lotion” in relation to joint health. It means that movement is essential to keeping your joints healthy and your pain in check. Even though it might feel counterintuitive to move your hands when they’re aching, gentle, controlled movement can actually improve blood flow, reduce stiffness, and keep your joints from becoming more immobile.
However, when you’re dealing with the pain and frustration of hand arthritis, knowing how to move your hands safely and effectively is key. That’s where occupational therapy (OT) comes in.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
1. Tailored Exercises to Improve Mobility An occupational therapist (OT) specializes in helping people improve their ability to perform daily tasks, and when it comes to hand arthritis, this means providing a series of exercises specifically designed to increase your hand strength, flexibility, and coordination. These exercises don’t have to be strenuous or painful—your OT will guide you through movements that gently mobilize your fingers and wrists, encouraging fluid motion without overloading the joints.
2. Pain Management Techniques Living with arthritis means living with pain, and while medication can help, there are other strategies that OTs can teach you to reduce pain and discomfort. Techniques like joint protection (learning how to hold objects in ways that reduce strain) and using assistive devices can significantly decrease the load on your hands. An OT can also help you learn proper body mechanics, such as how to position your hand when using tools or writing, reducing unnecessary pressure on the joints.
3. Adaptive Tools and Aids Sometimes, a little help from technology or specialized tools can make all the difference. OTs are experts at recommending tools to assist with everyday activities. This might include things like ergonomic pens, specially designed kitchen utensils, or gripping aids for opening jars. They can even help you modify your home or workspace to make your environment more arthritis-friendly.
4. Splinting for Support If you’re experiencing significant pain or deformity in your hands, splinting can be a game-changer. Occupational therapists can custom-create splints for your hands to help stabilize joints, reduce pain, and protect against further damage. These splints can also be used to stretch and mobilize joints, allowing for greater movement and less stiffness over time.
5. Education and Emotional Support Hand arthritis can be incredibly frustrating and isolating, and it’s easy to feel discouraged. One of the most valuable aspects of working with an OT is the emotional and educational support they provide. They will not only teach you techniques and strategies but also give you the emotional tools to manage the mental and emotional toll arthritis can take. This holistic approach ensures you’re not just improving your physical function, but also learning how to live a full, active life despite your condition.
Small Steps, Big Improvements
The journey with hand arthritis can feel like a long road, but it’s important to remember that every small improvement counts. By incorporating occupational therapy into your routine, you can build a strategy for managing symptoms, improving hand function, and continuing to engage in the activities you love.
If you’re experiencing pain or stiffness in your hands, don’t wait to reach out for help. An occupational therapist is your partner in making life with arthritis a bit easier and more manageable, one movement at a time. Because when it comes to hand arthritis, motion truly is lotion—it’s the key to staying active, healthy, and in control.
Final Thoughts
So, the next time you feel discouraged by the stiffness in your hands, remember: you’re not alone, and there are resources out there to help. Through the gentle guidance of an occupational therapist and a focus on movement and care, you can restore comfort and confidence to your daily life. After all, even though arthritis is a challenge, your hands are meant to move—so let them!
