Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role Of The Occupational Therapist In Seating - 1

Correct seating for the patient with rheumatoid arthritis is very important, as if the patient has a seat/chair that is not suitable, it will result in pain and/or discomfort aggravation. On top of that, it will also contribute to the worsening of his or her independence when they want to get up to go toilet, answer the phone, have a meal etc.

Very few patients with rheumatoid arthritis have adequate seating support in their chairs. Perhaps it is a financial limitation, or it may be a case of lower priority so the project may have been shelved. For seating clinics, many simply provide a means of elevating the seating itself as an option, which most of the time, unnecessary for the person with rheumatoid arthritis.

When choosing a chair for a patient, the following should be considered

1. Patient is to wear his or her usually worn home shoes to ensure that the correct height is measured using day to day tools and equipment.
2. The fabric needs to be a firm one (vinyl material causes perspiration, which leads to other problems)
3. The adequate seat height for the patient is measured from the bottom of the shoes (soles) to the back of the knees of the patient in sitting, and the knees must be at right angles (90 degrees).
4. Seat depth is measured from the back of the buttocks, to the back of the knees of the seated patient.
5. Seat width needs to be measured with the patient seated in the chair, with 1-1.5 inches extra space on each side from the buttocks. This is for turnings, transfers and overall comfort. It should not be more than a total of extra 3 inches as it will result in a further apart arm rests.
6. There needs to be backrest contours along the entire length of the spine, including the neck, and angled to suit each individual patient.
7. Arm rests are required, and they should support the arms without requiring the patient to hunch their shoulders.
8. Each arm rests for the chair should be level, or inclined slightly at the digits, reaching right to the front of the knees to help the patients in getting to stand.
9. It is best when the arm rests are padded with cushions to make room or accommodate painful flare up of joints and nodules.
10. There should not be any boards or crossbars that brace the front legs of the chair, as this will limit the patient's ability to stand up on their own.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Cure in Your Mind

We used to think that the cure to Rheumatoid Arthritis was either non-existent or totally relied on the use of heavy pharmaceuticals. Today the approach to removing symptoms of this arthritic disease or even sending it completely into 'remission' is very different.

Whilst many still rely on pharmaceuticals to treat certain symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, such as inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness, some are resorting more and more to the use of natural cures and this is bearing increasing success. The details of which natural supplements work best are on this further down this article.

Meanwhile, I want to explore what was suggested to me years ago, namely that the mind-boggling onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis (nobody in my family, immediate or distant, ever suffered from this disease) was in my case a psychological reaction to certain events taking place in my early teens (a nasty parents' divorce and an even nastier 'aftermath' in which my whole family ruptured and became highly dysfunctional). Don't get me wrong; it wasn't 'all in the mind': the symptoms were all there and the damage was real; I had X-Rays and other tests done at the early age of fourteen and they all showed I was suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

At the time it was only in my hands, but I was already beginning to have difficulty playing the piano or even writing. When I left home and went to University (and therefore left the dysfunctional family situation I was living in), my symptoms (which had not been treated at all) suddenly disappeared. Doctors believed that I had been suffering from Juvenile Arthritis and that it was perfectly normal for the symptoms to recede years later. I therefore went on with my life thinking the disease was gone.

But, years later, when I started visiting members of my family for prolonged periods, I began to suffer from severe knee pain which, months later, almost prevented me from walking normally. The knee was swollen, inflamed, extremely painful day and night and no amount of painkillers worked at all. Then my right elbow started to feel very stiff and painful; I became desperate and was ready to try anything and everything. I went to a reputable homeopath, who was convinced that my Rheumatoid Arthritis was triggered by certain familial events which were affecting my mind; with homeopathic remedies aimed at treating repressed anger, psychological pain and resentment (as well as disappointment and abandonment), 3 months later my knee and elbow pain was gone and I was able to resume my very active lifestyle (I am an outdoors person, I love to hike, swim and cycle) in full. Not once did I take any painkiller or pharmaceutical. This means that, in my case at least, my homeopath was correct in diagnosing my Rheumatoid Arthritis as mind-based.

Osteoarthritis and How to Manage Osteoarthritis in Your Dog

Osteoarthritis, a common degenerative disease common among humans, can also be acquired by your dog. This may cause a great deal of discomfort for your canine best friend and reduce his quality of life, including the time and fun activities that you spend together. Although osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, which means it will get worst, basic knowledge, early detection and pain management can help your dog cope with his illness and live a full life.

Basic Facts

The smooth cartilage, which is located at the end of your dog's bones, serves as a protection. When this cartilage deteriorates, the bone is exposed. The nerve endings, which are highly sensitive, collide against each other, which cause the joints to get sore and inflamed consequently causing pain in every movement. New bones may also develop around the joints, which cause more pain. This is the disease called osteoarthritis. This often results in the wear and tear that normally develops as your dog ages. Other causes can also be attributed to existing conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Dogs can't vocalize what they feel. Although they have the same way of recognizing pain like humans, they can't exactly tell you that their hips hurt when you play fetch or their knees get stiff when they climb up and down the stairs. Instead, they endure it as much as they can, and subtle changes cannot easily be noticed, but observing changes in your dog's physical wellbeing can help in early treatment of the disease. His muscles will become visibly smaller because they will put more weight on the limbs that are not affected. This muscle wasting, in turn, will also alter his gait or the way he walks. His behavior will also change in response to pain, becoming inactive and reluctant in engaging in physical activities.

Treatment with Deramaxx

Although there is no known cure for the illness other than joint replacement, pain management can lessen its effects. Deramaxx is an NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Having less pain will encourage your dog to get back up on his feet. Owners should also monitor the weight of the dog since inactivity and obesity will further cause damage to affected joints. Prescription Deramaxx (Deracoxib) for dogs directly targets arthritis pain. Deramaxx is the first and only coxib-class NSAID approved by the FDA for veterinary use. It inhibits COX-2 while sparing COX-1. Deramaxx comes in convenient tablets for all-day arthritis pain relief. Deramaxx requires a prescription. This will be an ideal treatment for your dog and peace of mind for you.

Arthritis Myth Buster - 5 Secrets to Eliminating Arthritis Pain Revealed

46 million people suffer from arthritis, yet few know of the ways to control arthritis pain. Learn the myths behind the disease and your options to a pain free life.

Myth Buster #1: There is just one type of Arthritis

There are over 100 types of arthritis including Osteoarthritis, Gout and Fibromyalgia There are many forms of arthritis resulting in joint stiffness, joint inflammation and pain: making getting out of bed in the morning agonizing, rising from your chair torture, or even a once easy task of getting in and out of your car a monumental achievement. I remember a 62 year old patient who had such painful joints in her knees; the strain of getting up compelled her to sit in her chair all day. What she didn't realize was that sitting all day was actually making her arthritis condition worse and by the time she sought treatment she was in a wheelchair and no longer able to walk.

Myth Buster # 2: The Only Treatment For Arthritis Pain is Pills or Surgery.

In order to make an informed decision, you need to be armed with the latest in arthritis treatment choices. Sometimes surgery is necessary, but since surgery is a major event not to be taken lightly, other forms of treatment should be explored first. Medicines are sometimes a necessary evil. Evil because over time they can cause liver toxicity and can also increase your susceptibility to life threatening infections. However, on the other hand, they are necessary at times because they help alleviate pain. But what if there was something else that could alleviate your pain, required no co-payment, enabled you to live a full active life and once again enjoy activities like gardening, shopping, writing a letter or working around the house with renewed energy? There is a treatment that Doctors once believed would damage your joints and as an Occupational Therapy Practitioner, I have seen the miraculous results of how functional exercise treatment increases people's functional independence enabling people to once again enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Myth Buster # 3: People with Arthritis Shouldn't Exercise

For many years Doctors thought that arthritis would damage your joints. Fortunately, many Doctors are now aware of the importance of exercise as an important and significant contributing factor to reducing and eliminating arthritis pain. Therapeutic exercise has proven to be so significant that Doctors often refer their patients to a physical or occupational therapist for a special functional exercise program to increase flexibility, boost energy and improve strength.

Myth Buster # 4: Exercise Makes People with Arthritis Experience More Pain.

The goal of arthritis exercise treatment is to

A.) Reduce inflammation

B.) Minimize pain

C.) Improve your ability to function.

Exercise can accomplish all of these goals safely. While increasing blood flow and providing important nutrients to your body, functional fitness keeps your muscles that surround your joints strong and diminishes joint pain. So strong that the patient mentioned earlier was able to walk, and once again participate in functional activities including going to the bathroom independently. Yes, arthritis, if left untreated, even makes going to the bathroom painful. Functional exercise includes practicing full range of motion exercises which makes your body supply much needed lubrication to your stiff joints. Think of a door hinge that's stiff and won't move. It just needs a bit of grease and by placing WD 40 to it, the hinge will move. Your body, when placed in therapeutic functional positions produces lubricant. With continued practice of a functional exercise program, your body will reward you with an increased ability to perform meaningful activities of daily living without pain.

Myth Buster # 5. The Best Exercise for Arthritis is Water Aerobics.

Water aerobics is an excellent exercise for arthritis and I often recommend it to my patients with access to a pool and a qualified licensed therapist. However, it should not be the only type of exercise for arthritis if the goal is to eliminate arthritis pain. In order to eliminate and reduce pain you need to be able to perform exercises that take you through the full range of motion and unless you're a seagull who doesn't mind sticking your head under water to bend down, you won't get the full range of motion exercises your body needs with water aerobics. Muscle tissues have a natural tendency to shorten with aging. Muscles must be regularly stretched to minimize the effect of natural muscle shortening. Flexibility exercises combat the negative effects of stiffness, pain, stress and can significantly improve your life by increasing your functional ability, decreasing pain and turn back your body clock by making your joints younger, healthier and fit. When you are flexible, your muscles have a decreased risk of injury because they are more pliable and less likely to tear. A lot of men don't stretch, but stretching is EQUALLY important for men. No matter how strong your muscles are, if your muscles are tight, bending and reaching will become painful. Wouldn't it be great to be able to bend over to reach for any item when it's fallen on the ground without pain and stiffness?

Functional fitness exercises from a trained expert will get you one stretch closer to being pain free. Some of my patients told me they never stretched before because it hurt. If you're tight, you NEED to stretch and strengthen your muscles to support your joints and diminish arthritis pain.

Belly Dancing As Arthritis Treatment

Exercise is usually one of the common prescriptions of doctors for patients who are suffering from arthritis. Although joint pain could be persistent during times of movements, it is still highly recommended so as to increase one's threshold of pain while flexing the bones and muscles to reduce stiffness. It is dangerous to stay stationary when you have arthritis. This will only increase swelling and firmness.

There are various forms of physical exercises that helps ease arthritis symptoms. Tai chi, yoga, and water exercises are the usual alternative physical therapies. But to date, another addition is well liked and advised-belly dancing.

Belly dancing is a traditional Middle Eastern dance that emphasizes the belly through hip movements. Although the focus of the dance is on the hips and pelvic area, this dance involves every part of the body, thus a very good way of exercise for the joints. The head, neck, arms, hands, chest, waist, thighs, legs and feet are all moving while dancing.

Important movements that are involved in belly dancing are the following:

Shimmy - is the shimmering vibration of the hips. This is created by moving the knees past each other at haste. Some dancers also use contractions of the thighs. Shoulders can also be shimmered along.

Hip punches - is the basic move in belly dancing. This is done by alternating the weight on the legs and swinging the pelvis to the right and left like creating punches on the hips.

Undulation - is the rotating movements of the chest forward, up, back and down. This creates an impression of riding a camel.

Aside from these basic movements, there are other actions such as swaying of the arms from the shoulders to the fingers like a snake, bending of the back, rotating movements of the head and turning and pointing of the toes.

Since these movements are non-impact and weight-bearing for many joint parts, belly dancing as an arthritis treatment offers numerous significant benefits such as:

Improves joint flexibility
Increases bone strength
Develops muscle strength
Relieves back pain
Improves cardiovascular conditioning
Improves balance and posture
Prevents osteoporosis
Increase elasticity of knees and ankles

Belly dancing is such a brilliant way of finding alternative treatment against joint pain caused by arthritis. Not only it is a form of exercise that brings a lot of health benefits, but it is also very artistic and enjoyable to do.

Dealing With Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaling of the skin and swelling of the skin and joints. This skin condition occurs when cells are produced too quickly. Within the last several years psoriasis has been classified as an autoimmune disorder. Psoriasis is usually found on the arms, legs, trunk, nails, or scalp, but psoriasis may be found on any part of the skin.

Individuals with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation in their joints and may have other arthritis symptoms. Skin care is important because it can prevent or reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. However, in as many as 15 percent of cases, symptoms of psoriatic arthritis appear before symptoms of psoriasis itself. Flare-ups can appear for weeks or months, then disappear for a while with no apparent symptoms. However, when psoriatic arthritis symptoms precede symptoms of psoriasis, diagnosis is more difficult.

The goal is to find a treatment that works the best with the fewest side effects. The treatment of psoriasis has improved greatly with the understanding of the role of the immune system in causing skin abnormalities.

It is strongly advised that you consult with a medical professional and receive medical care if you have psoriasis. You will also want to stay away from creams and lotions that contain any form of alcohol. Alcohol will dry the skin and make outbreaks more sever and painful. Some natural moisturizers like aloe, coal tar have proven to provide relief. Also nutritional supplements like Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils are known for their hydrating qualities. Burdock Root (Arctium Lappa) is an herbal remedy which is traditionally used for detoxification.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet - Natural Cures That Treat and Cure RA

If you are depressed and suffer from achy joints and are in constant pain you need help now. The good news is there is an all-natural cure for your arthritis. Listen; there are millions of people just like you who suffer in silence. Arthritis can be a daily nightmare...fingers gnarled, joints sore all the time. You are stressed out and literally in tears from the pain.

Why You Suffer From Arthritis?

Most Americans consume a diet that is acid-forming--too much meat, too many processed foods, not enough raw fruits, vegetables and fresh fish. Here is a list of 12 of the best foods that fight arthritis. If you are looking for an all-natural cure for arthritis start with these. The first 6 foods listed contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids which soothe joint pain and inflammation. Tart cherries are a natural anti-pain medicine. The remainder of the foods on this list are good sources of Vitamin C (which is a powerful antioxidant). They also contain calcium and magnesium which are good for bone maintenance.

Wild and fresh salmon
Chia
Flaxseed
Walnuts
Herring
Rainbow trout
Mackerel, except for king mackerel
Tart Cherries
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Spinach
Broccoli

Note that I did not mention milk or dairy products in this list. That's because milk is basically "liquid meat". Dairy products are acid-forming foods. I know the conventional recommendation is to drink more milk, but nothing is further from the truth. Milk and dairy products can exacerbate the problem.

In addition to the foods above you should be drinking powerful herbal teas. Teas like dandelion, green tea, burdock and red clover. These teas are known for their blood cleansing properties. They can destroy the bacteria that is the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis.

What's that? You didn't know that a bacterium has been implicated as the primary culprit for causing rheumatoid arthritis? Well, a doctor over 40 years ago proved this and cured almost all of him patients using this knowledge. Why hasn't the medical establishment made this research public knowledge? Well as Dr. Eli Wallach once said about arthritis, "If the truth were released [to the public], the orthodox doctors would lose an entire specialty [rheumalogy] in short order, so they keep it a secret."

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you really want a step-by-step guide to cure rheumatoid arthritis then download a special report that I have written just for you. Learn why I kick milk to the curb and what the medical establishment doesn't want you to know about curing your arthritis with simple ingredients found in your kitchen cupboard. You need to know about a kind of bacteria that is the root cause of almost all cases of rheumatoid arthritis and why most antibiotics usually do not work in eradicating this bacterium.