RA patients who combine essential conventional therapies (Physiotherapy & Occupational therapy) with complementary therapies have found this very beneficial.

Rheumatoid patients are as responsible for their own health as are their physicians. Medication alone is not enough to keep your body and mind healthy. If you find conventional therapy is not sufficient, search for and try complementary therapies along with your physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Physiotherapy

A Physiotherapist will start with a functional assessment by checking your posture, watching you walk to check your gait and discussing how you do your daily exercises. They will evaluate your range of motion, muscle strength/weakness, pain and swelling.

The physiotherapists will then discuss the following exercises with you:

Range of Motion Exercises – these exercises are extremely important if you hope to keep your limbs and joints moving to the best of their ability and help with joint stiffness. Range of Motion exercises must be done daily. The old saying, ‘If you don’t us it, you lose it,’ definitely applies when referring to range of motion and strengthening exercises.

Strengthening Exercises – these are designed to help strengthen the muscles around the joint providing more support. Your physiotherapist will design an exercise program that takes into account your age, fitness and the disease progress. These exercises will be a combination of Isometric and Isotonic exercises.

Endurance Exercises – these help strengthen your heart giving you energy and help control weight (a side effect of some medication). Swimming, walking and cycling are examples of endurance exercises.

Physiotherapists may also provide Electrical Stimulation – this helps with temporary pain relief. The usual method is with the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists give advice, training and counsel on how to do daily chores and activities with less pain. Once they have discussed what chores or activities are the most difficult due to pain and lack of strength they will discuss coping skills, suggest assistive devices and protective splints for you to use.

Assistive Devices: canes, sock grippers, elastic shoelaces, button aids, bath stools, orthotics, reach extenders, book holders, pen grips, etc.

Protective Splints: for wrists, knees, fingers, ankles, elbows, etc.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heat – helps ease the pain, relax the muscles and increase the blood flow. Types of heat include hot showers/baths (15 min.), heating pads, hot paraffin wax dips, infrared radiation, hot packs, etc.

Cold – helps dull the pain, decrease muscle spasms and reduce inflammation. Types of cold include soaking joints in cold water, cold packs, nitrogen spray and cryotherapy.

Water Therapy

Water exercise classes are specifically designed for people with arthritis and are available at most local Community Centres. Body weight is reduced in the water making it easier and less painful to do range of motion and low-impact, strengthening exercises.

Relaxation Therapy

Progressive relaxation – used to control pain and relax muscles. This is the process of tightening and then relaxing individual muscle groups one at a time.

Massage Therapy – used to control pain and relax muscles.

Rest Therapy

One to two mid-day naps (approx. 30 min.) are extremely important to Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to aid with relaxing and regenerating the energy needed for the rest of the day. This also allows the joints to rest and helps reduce pain and swelling.

Electromagnetic Therapy

Electromagnetic Therapy – used for treating pain and joint stiffness and increase physical function.

Reflexology Therapy

Reflexology – helps with pain, tension, muscle tone, and relaxation; improves circulation and may improve your immune system.

Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture – helps with pain and stimulates the immune system by balancing the flow of energy through the body.

Tai Chi Therapy

Tai Chi – increases range of motion, physical balance, relieves stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and helps with pain. Tai chi can be done in a standing or a sitting position.

Ayurveda Therapy

Ayurveda uses a holistic approach incorporating herbs and nutrition, massage, yoga, exercise, colour therapy, aromatherapy, music therapy, meditation, and more

Remember: before starting any new therapy check with your doctor. Make sure you learn about any possible side effects. Get second opinions. If one therapist suggests you stop your medication and other therapies, think twice before you follow the advice. Consider the consequences. If you find your health decreasing as well as your range of motion and over all strength, it is time to re-evaluate the therapy. The saying, ‘You have to get worse before you get better,’ is not true here. The ‘worse’ with those who have Rheumatoid Arthritis causes permanent damage to your joints and health.

You are the best judge as to which therapies work for you and which do not.

Sites of Interest:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication