Photo credit: iStockphoto
About 1 in 5 adults endure arthritis in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 100 inflammatory and non-inflammatory medical conditions are classified as arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and lupus. Symptoms of arthritis include joint and muscle pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness and fatigue.
April is National Occupational Therapy Month, which focuses on the important work that occupational therapists provide to help people live life to the fullest. If you suffer from arthritis, occupational therapy can help you increase or preserve your mobility, so you can continue to perform your daily activities.
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who understand the physical and emotional demands that your daily activities can place on your body. They will evaluate the types of activities you want and need to do, like self-care, taking care of your home, work-related tasks and social duties. And they will determine how your arthritis is affecting your ability to perform these activities. They will assess your range of motion, muscle strength, endurance and pain.
Based on their evaluation, an occupational therapist will develop strategies to help you manage and control your arthritis symptoms. An occupational therapist may:
- Educate you on how to simplify your tasks in order to protect your joints, reduce stress and strain on them, avoid overuse of them, and reduce pain.
- Suggest modifications to your home, work and other environments to make it easier for you to perform tasks, so you can maintain your independence. Some types of modifications may include grab bars, adjustable shelves, raised toilet seats and chairs with arms.
- Design exercises to help you maintain and/or improve your strength, flexibility, range of motion and fine motor skills.
- Teach you ways to control swelling and inflammation, like elevating your arms and legs, or wearing compression garments.
- Supply or recommend custom orthotic devices, like splints or shoe insoles, that provide support for your hands, wrists or feet.
- Recommend tactics to reduce pain, like applying hot or cold compresses.
- Design or recommend tools and utensils that can help you perform your daily activities easier.
- Teach you methods to cope with living with arthritis.
If your arthritis pain is making it difficult or impossible for you to do simple, daily tasks, like getting dressed, grooming yourself and performing work-related duties, an occupational therapist can help you overcome or adapt to any physical limitations you may have.
ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics Can Increase Mobility and Reduce Pain
Just like an occupational therapist cares about restoring your body’s mobility and reducing your pain, a certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) cares about the health of your feet and reducing your foot pain. A C.Ped. is an extensively educated and trained health care professional who specializes in the use of footwear and orthotics to address various conditions, like arthritis, that affect the feet and legs. C.Peds educate people about proper foot health and work with patients to help them achieve greater mobility, reduced pain and better comfort through footwear and supportive devices.
Kathy Carandang, the creator of ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics, is a C.Ped. who understands how foot pain can affect your health – that’s why she developed ezWalker® Custom Orthotics. If you suffer from mobility issues and foot pain from arthritis, these custom orthotics support the arches of your feet, providing you with proper biomechanical alignment. ezWalker® Custom Orthotics guide each step your take throughout the gait cycle, reducing the stress and strain on your feet, knees, hips, and/or lower back. These custom orthotics also will help you maintain your balance and stability. So, restore your movement and reduce your pain with ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics. Order your pair today!
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®
