| Rheumatoid arthritis therapy is aimed at pain relief and | | | | it or lose it." If you are suffering from rheumatoid |
| continued mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable | | | | arthritis, this statement is absolute truth. You must work |
| disease that leads to degeneration of the joints in the | | | | daily to maintain the mobility you have. RA can rob you |
| body. Left untreated, RA can result in a person | | | | of the ability to move if you let it. |
| becoming bedridden and unable to move. The good | | | | Physical therapists will push you to do things you do |
| news is that there are some fairly effective | | | | not want to do because they cause pain. After an |
| treatments for the relief of pain and swelling caused | | | | intensive physical therapy session they will apply hot |
| by this condition. Considered as a treatment whole, | | | | packs or cold compresses to reduce swelling and pain. |
| there are three types of Rheumatoid arthritis therapy. | | | | Many also offer therapeutic massage to relax the |
| Medical Therapy | | | | muscles and ease pain following a tough exercise |
| The first type of rheumatoid arthritis therapy is medical. | | | | routine |
| Medications designed to reduce the swelling in inflamed | | | | Occupational Therapy |
| joints NSAIDs, meaning non-steroidal anti-inflammatory | | | | The third component of rheumatoid arthritis therapy is |
| drugs. They may include corticosteroids when more | | | | occupational therapy. Physical therapists are focused |
| drastic measures are needed to reduce swelling faster | | | | on keeping you moving. Occupational therapists are |
| or for longer periods. Pain medications may also be | | | | focused on helping you accomplish daily tasks. |
| prescribed to dull the aches associated with RA back | | | | You will be taught different ways to move to |
| to a level that allows mobility without the agony. Other | | | | accomplish tasks that minimize the stress placed on |
| medications will be included to reduce or halt the | | | | sore stiff joints. When normal tasks become to difficult |
| degeneration of the joints as caused by this particular | | | | and painful, occupational therapists can assist with |
| type of arthritis. | | | | different devices. These devices are generally |
| Physical Therapy | | | | designed to make everyday tasks easier to perform. |
| Physical therapy is the second line of RA therapy. A | | | | The job of the occupational therapist is helping you |
| physical therapist will work with your medical doctor to | | | | maintain as much independence as possible to |
| develop a plan of exercises designed to keep your | | | | continue living your life in a manner you see fit to live. |
| body moving. An initial assessment will be done to | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis is a very debilitating disease that |
| determine how much mobility has already been lost. A | | | | can not be prevented or cured. Treatments are |
| program of exercises including range of motion, | | | | available to help a person live with RA and limit the |
| stretches, strength training, and aerobic components | | | | degeneration it causes. Medicine, physical therapy, and |
| will be initiated. | | | | occupational therapy are three types of rheumatoid |
| The goal of the physical therapist is to keep you | | | | arthritis therapy. |
| moving. You have probably heard the old saying, "Use | | | | |