Managing arthritis isn’t just about medicine and exercise; it’s also about how you move through your day. Using smart techniques can conserve your energy and protect your joints from unnecessary stress.
- Pace Yourself: Alternate heavy or repetitive tasks with lighter ones. Take breaks before you get tired or feel pain.
- Use It, Don’t Abuse It: Leverage your larger, stronger joints. Push a heavy door with your shoulder instead of your hand. Carry a purse or laptop bag over your shoulder instead of clutching it with your fingers.
- Get a Grip: Use adaptive tools with built-up, soft handles on utensils, pens, garden tools, and can openers. This reduces the strain on delicate finger joints.
- Reach and Rise Safely: Keep frequently used items in easy-to-reach cabinets. Use a reacher tool to grab items from high or low shelves. When getting up from a chair, push up with your palms and use your thigh muscles, not your hands.
- Modify Your Environment: Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet. Use a raised toilet seat to make sitting and standing easier. A shower bench allows you to bathe without standing.
These small adjustments aren’t about giving up activities you love; they’re about doing them smarter so you can enjoy them for years to come.
