RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: HINTS TO PROTECT ELBOWS, SHOULDERS, HIPS AND KNEES

January 17, 2011

Elbows and shoulders
Here, as with hands and wrists, the principle is to avoid putting stress on the joint in a way that contributes to deformity. For example, when you are carrying heavy objects, keep them as close to your body as possible so that your spine can relieve some of the stress on your shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
Assistive equipment. Assistive equipment to relieve stress on shoulders and elbows includes items that have extended handles and items that allow you to carry things without using your arms.
•       extended handles on combs, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, utensils
•      extended handle dustpan
•      elbow crutch
•      over-the-shoulder pouch
•      knapsack
•      small cart for carrying items (a folding shopping cart, for example).

Hips and Knees
People with hip and knee arthritis need to make every effort to keep their weight down. This will limit the amount of pressure that is put on these joints.
One technique for avoiding putting undue pressure on hips and knees is to use your whole body to rise from a sitting position. Slide forward as far as you can in the seat and then lean forward over your knees and swing up. Try to push off with your forearms or palms (avoid using your fingers). Elevating yourself in the chair with a pillow will help.
Assistive Equipment. People with arthritis in the hips and knees may find the following equipment helpful. Remember that these assistive devices should not be overused. Reaching, for example, is good exercise, and if reaching is not painful for you, you probably are better off not using a long-handled reacher.
•      elevated seat with arm rests
•      raised toilet seat
•      stool
•      shower bench
•      extended shoehorn
•       long-handled reacher
•      tub grab bars
•      walking aids (cane, walker).
*68/209/5*

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: OLIVE – MISS. DIMPLE’S & JAI DEV’S CASE

January 10, 2011

Miss. Dimple could not be made to study History. The subject bored her. She had failed in this subject in the previous examination, and the private tutor did not give any hope of her faring any better in the next examination.
Whenever she opened her History Book, she felt bored after reading a new lines and closed the book to study some other subject. She had lately developed a fear of this subject.
She was prescribed ‘OLIVE’ (to enable her to do uninteresting work i.e. to study History) and MIMULUS (to remove fear of History).
After taking these remedies thrice a day for one week, she could sit to study History just like any other subject.
Jai Dev had a very sharp intellect but a weak body. He was very good at studies, but could never score more than 80% marks in his examination, because he could never complete his paper. His hands got tired and the fingers would not hold the pen after writing a few pages.
‘OLIVE’ remedy was prescribed T.D.S for 15 days before the examination and the result was very encouraging. He could score 80% marks in the examination.
*154\308\8*

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PROTECTING HANDS AND WRISTS

January 2, 2011

Finger and wrist joints tend to slowly drift out of their natural alignment as the result of chronic inflammation.
•    When stirring foods, hold the utensil with your thumb on top, as if you were holding an ice pick, and stir with shoulder motion.
•       Avoid hanging a purse strap over your wrist or carrying heavy suitcases.
•      Avoid supporting your body weight on your wrists and hands. For example, do not lean on your hands while standing against a table edge.
•    Avoid stressful wringing and twisting motions (use an electric rather than a manual can opener).
•    Do not wring your washcloth out, let the cloth drip dry. Do not grip items tightly or hold onto them for long periods. Too tight a grip increases deforming pressures.
•    Modify the size of articles that you grasp daily. You can enlarge the grips on pencils, pens, toothbrushes, and other utensils by placing the handles inside a foam hair curler or wrapping them with soft foam rubber.
•    Avoid actions that push your other fingers toward your little finger. To dial on a rotary dial telephone, hold a pencil like an ice pick. When reading, don’t hold a book in a way that puts weight on your fingers (use a book-holder). Don’t rest your chin on top of your fingers. Lift and carry objects with your palms, not with your fingers. When getting up from a chair, use your palms rather than your fingers to push off.
Remember to use the largest joint and the strongest muscle available to complete the job. For example, shut doors with your hip or upper arm rather than your fingers. Open jars by putting pressure on the top with your palm and twisting from the shoulder rather than gripping the lid with your fingers.
Splints. The splints that are available today are made of lighter weight materials and are smaller than they were in the past. They are also more comfortable and attractive than splints used to be. The ring splint is an example of a modern splint which can be used by persons with swan neck or boutonniere deformity, if the splint improves function.
Hand and wrist splints can be either commercially fabricated (purchased over the counter) or custom fit by an occupational therapist or orthotist. (An orthotist is an expert in the development and application of splints, braces, and other supports to improve function or decrease pain and inflammation.) The functional wrist splint is useful because it allows some movement at the fingers while immobilizing the wrist. Some physicians prescribe a resting hand splint to be worn at night to rest finger and wrist joints. Remember, splints should only be used if they relieve pain or improve function.
Assistive equipment. People with hand and wrist problems may find use of the following equipment helpful:
•    built-up handles
•       faucet turners / lever
•      key adaptor / lever
•       button hook
•      elastic shoelaces
•      house door opener
•       car door opener / lever
•      loop scissors
•      luggage carrier
•      mitt potholder
•      padded wrist rest for computer keyboard or typewriter.
*67/209/5*

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