Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness | The Essential Dos, Don'ts, And Physiotherapy Insights

 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can significantly affect the quality of life of those diagnosed with it. The good news is that with proper management, patients can lead active and fulfilling lives. A key component of this is that physiotherapy can help manage arthritis pain, improve joint mobility, and maintain independence. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the significance of physiotherapy and outline essential dos, don'ts, and precautionary measures for RA patients.

Role of Physiotherapy in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dos

1. Consult a Physiotherapist:
DO seek out a qualified physiotherapist with experience in treating RA patients. They can evaluate your condition, create a personalized exercise and therapy plan, and monitor your progress.

2. Establish an Exercise Routine:
DO work with your physiotherapist to develop a regular exercise routine that focuses on joint mobility, strength, and flexibility. Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or gentle yoga can be highly beneficial.

3. Learn Proper Techniques:
DO learn proper techniques for exercises and daily activities. Your physiotherapist can teach you how to move safely, avoid unnecessary strain on your joints, and reduce the risk of injury.

4. Heat and Cold Therapy:
DO use heat and cold therapy as recommended by your physiotherapist. These techniques can help reduce pain and inflammation in affected joints.

5. Assistive Devices:
DO consult with your physiotherapist about the use of assistive devices such as braces, orthotics, or mobility aids. These can reduce pressure on your joints during daily activities.
 

Don'ts

1. Don't Push Too Hard:
DON'T engage in high-intensity or high-impact activities without consulting your physiotherapist. Overexertion can lead to flare-ups and increased pain.

2. Avoid Prolonged Inactivity:
DON'T stay sedentary for extended periods. Prolonged inactivity can worsen joint stiffness and lead to muscle weakness. Find a balance between rest and movement.

3. Don't Disregard Pain:
DON'T ignore pain during exercises or daily activities. If you experience pain, stop the activity and consult your physiotherapist to adjust your routine.

4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures:
DON'T expose your joints to extreme temperatures without precautions. Extreme cold or heat can exacerbate RA symptoms. Dress appropriately for the weather and use temperature-appropriate therapies.

5: Don't Skip Physiotherapy Appointments:
Don't skip physiotherapy sessions. Consistency is key to reaping the benefits of physiotherapy in managing RA.
 

Additional Dos and Don'ts for RA Patients

Dos

1. Medication Management:
DO follow your prescribed treatment plan, including medications. Communicate any concerns or side effects to your healthcare provider promptly.

2. Maintain a Balanced Diet:
DO focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and low in saturated fats. Consult a nutritionist if necessary for personalized dietary guidance.

3. Manage Stress:
DO practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or engaging in hobbies that promote relaxation.

4. Seek Support:
DO seek emotional support from friends, family, or a therapist to help you cope with the emotional challenges of living with RA.
 

Don'ts

1. Don't Neglect Medication:
DON'T skip doses of your prescribed medications or discontinue them without consulting your healthcare provider. Consistency in medication is crucial for managing the disease.

2. Avoid Excessive Alcohol:
DON'T consume excessive alcohol, as it can interact negatively with RA medications and increase inflammation.

3. Don't Neglect Your Weight:
DON'T ignore maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight can place additional strain on your joints.

4. Don't Compare Yourself to Others:
DON'T compare your progress or limitations to others with RA. Each person's experience is unique, and it's important to focus on your own journey.

5. Don't Ignore Emotional Health:
DON'T neglect your mental and emotional well-being. Seek professional help when necessary to address stress, depression, and other emotional challenges.

Precautionary Measures

1. Infection Prevention:
DO take precautions to avoid infections. RA patients may have a higher risk of infections, so practice good hygiene, get vaccinated as recommended, and consult your healthcare provider promptly if you suspect an infection.

2. Regular Eye Exams:
DO schedule regular eye exams. RA can affect the eyes, and early detection and treatment of eye issues are essential.

3. Bone Health:
DO pay attention to your bone health. RA and some medications can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Discuss bone health with your healthcare provider and consider bone density testing if advised.

4. Fall Prevention:
DO take measures to prevent falls. RA can affect balance and coordination. Ensure your living space is safe, and consider exercises to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

5. Stay Informed:
DO stay informed about RA and its treatment options. Medical advancements and new treatments are continually emerging, so regularly discuss your treatment plan with your healthcare provider.

6. Adaptive Equipment:
DO consider the use of adaptive equipment as recommended by healthcare professionals. These tools can make daily activities safer and more manageable.

7. Stress Management:
DO prioritize stress management. Chronic stress can exacerbate RA symptoms. Engage in activities that promote relaxation and seek emotional support when needed.

The more you know about RA, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, the better equipped you will be to manage the condition effectively. Seek information from reputable sources and consult with healthcare professionals.

Avoid self-diagnosis or relying solely on non-professional sources for medical advice. While it's essential to educate yourself, only a qualified healthcare provider can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

 

Arthritis

Arthritis | Its Treatment and Management by Physiotherapy

Are you suffering from Arthritis and are taking painkillers to suppress the pain caused by this condition? Then you should immediately take proper treatment before this condition progresses to a level where it might restrict the movement of the affected joints. Exercising every day and consulting a well-trained physiotherapist is one such step that can be beneficial. Arthritis targets the skin and multiple joints of the body affecting day to day life of an individual. This blog is written to give you a better understanding of arthritis, its types, and its physiotherapy management.

 

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, it affects one or multiple joints. The symptoms of this condition may develop over time and are not constant. Arthritis is broadly classified into three categories:

1: Osteoarthritis:

This type of arthritis occurs due to an injury or aging.

2: Rheumatoid arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis happens due to the immune system attacking (by accident) the functional cells of the body.

3: Infectious arthritis:

Infectious arthritis spreads to the joint from a different body part.

4: Juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis takes place in children.

5: Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis, it affects their skin and joints.

 

Physiotherapy management

Physiotherapy for arthritis is an effective and safe way to help:

• Decrease pain
• Reduce discomfort
• Strengthen the joints and muscles
• Improve mobility
• Helps in increasing the range of flexibility and motion.
• Restore the use of affected joints
• Prevent further damage to the joints
• Prevent progression of arthritis
• Maintain fitness
• Improve functionality.

 

Physiotherapy intervention

According to the patient's needs, the physiotherapist would tailor the exercises. The physiotherapy treatment program for arthritis includes:

1: Rest and Splinting:

Rest or splinting is recommended if required during the acute stage of the disease. Bed rest relieves extensive joint pain and puts the joints into rest at a functional position. Rest and splinting, diminishes pain and inflammation, to prevent stress, stiffness, and deformities.

 

2: Ultrasound Therapy:

Ultrasound therapy creates warmth and gentle heat that increases blood circulation in deeper tissues thus decreases pain and increases range of motion.

 

3: Transcutaneous electrical stimulations (TENS):

Transcutaneous electrical stimulations are found to be significantly effective in increasing strength. This helps to prevent the progression of the condition that limits movement and functionality in daily life.

 

4: Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT):

Low-level Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that reduces pain, inflammation and also increases mobility.

 

5: Paraffin Therapy:

Paraffin therapy is extremely beneficial for arthritis. It has a very high capacity for absorbing heat, which helps to improve the patient's performance while exercising.

 

6: Ice therapy:

Use of ice pack or cloth soaked in cold water can be applied to the affected area or by submerging the part in ice-cold water.  Ice packs can be used to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. 

 

7: Heat therapy:

Similarly, heat packs can also help decrease stiffness and improves blood circulation.  A heating pad, warm shower, hot water bottle on the affected area can be used. Heat packs can also help decrease stiffness and improves blood circulation.

 

8: Massages:

Moderate pressure massage is given by a trained physiotherapist. Massage therapy is proved to be helpful and soothing for many arthritis sufferers. Regular massages can relieve pain by lowering the production of cortisol (stress hormone) in the human body.

 

9: Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is another treatment that can be used as an intervention by the physiotherapist to stimulate the brain to release endorphins.

 

10: Exercise:

Graded exercises help reduce arthritis pain. These exercises are started slowly and then gently increased when progressed further.  These exercises strengthen the muscles and joints and increase overall fitness. Strengthening, endurance, stretching & stability exercises are a part of the exercise program. The therapist also advises holding correct body posture while carrying out daily activities to relieve pain and prevent further damage.

 

11: Hydrotherapy:

Physiotherapy for arthritis is not limited to simple exercises or the use of modalities only, but also extends to other exercises such as swimming which is a great form of exercise without putting pressure on the joints. Water-based exercises can relieve pressure on the joints, reduce body fat, and improve mood, coordination, and range of motion.

 

12: Assistive devices:

The physiotherapy also recommends assistive devices like wearing braces or walking with a cane.

 

13: Posture correction

Arthritis can also be caused due to bad body posture while sitting and working. Simple exercises at home or at the workplace can help in preventing arthritis. Some simple stretches include neck rotations, head tilts, leg raises, hamstring stretches, finger and thumb bends and wrist rotation to ease the tension in the joints while working on the desk.

 

Physiotherapy has beneficial effects on increasing physical capacity and reduces the activity of the disease. The physiotherapist provides patient education about their condition and makes them aware of the various physiotherapy options that are available to improve the quality of life.