Daily tasks like opening jars and using a phone might be challenging if you have osteoarthritis in your hands. Arthritis in fingers may be painful, stiff, or less flexible than usual. Fortunately, there are several strategies for managing this illness.
Continue reading to discover 5 easy ways to deal with hand osteoarthritis discomfort.
Table of Contents
Work for your hands.
By doing certain exercises, you may maintain your hands’ range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Think about these:
- Keep your hand in a relaxed, open stance. Then, extend your thumb as far as you can to the base of your pinky finger. On each hand, repeat this motion multiple times.
- Keep your fingers straight and close together as you raise your hand in the air. Make a fist by bending your fingers at the middle joints. Repeat while bringing your fingers gradually back to their starting position. Use both hands to carry out this practice.
- Hold your hand in the air once again, maintaining the fingers parallel to one another. Next, use your fingers and thumb to form a “c.” Repeat after gently letting go of the posture. Put both hands to use during this workout.
Finding the ideal ratio of exercise to rest is essential for maintaining the health of osteoarthritic joints. Plan a quick pause in between appointments if you work as a hairdresser, for instance, to give your hands a respite.
Apply cold or heat.
Try out the choices listed below to see whether heat, cold or a mix of the two will help you feel better.
By relaxing soft tissues, boosting circulation, and promoting joint fluid production, applying heat may ease hand pain and stiffness. Applying heat may be done in a variety of methods, such as using a heat wrap, paraffin wax bath, warm water bottle, wet heating pad, or electric heating pad.
The pain and stiffness of arthritic hands may be reduced by applying ice to reduce inflammation and swelling. For 10 to 20 minutes, apply a cold pack to the afflicted hand joint or joints. To avoid ice burn, be careful to cover the pack with a towel or piece of fabric.
A doctor or occupational therapist may be able to advise you on the treatment that will work best for you.
Modify your attire a little.
Simple wardrobe adjustments may minimize the pressure on your hands and lessen your overall discomfort and stiffness. Try wearing, for instance:
- Slip-on footwear or footwear fastened using Velcro rather than laces.
- Shirts that are pulled over the head as opposed to being buttoned.
- Pants without snaps or zippers, but with elastic waistbands.
Another way of life adjustment may also be beneficial. Use jar openers, lightweight cookware, and kitchen equipment with big handles, for instance, while preparing meals. You may get further suggestions from an occupational therapist on how to lessen stress on your hand joints.
Take into account topical analgesics.
The hand joints, which are located just below the skin, are best treated with over-the-counter gels, balms, lotions, or patches. The majority of topical arthritis painkillers fall into one of these groups, regardless of how they are used:
- Moderate anti-inflammatory properties of salicylates.
- Irritating countermeasures that dull the agony
- Products containing capsaicin, detract from the pain and may help block pain signals.
- CBD-containing goods.
- Products that contain lidocaine, which acts as local anesthetics.
While most topical products are safe, some of them can cause side effects or interact with other medications when they are ingested and enter the bloodstream. Before trying any new medication, it is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Try a diet low in inflammatory foods.
Both hand arthritis and a rise in body inflammation are linked to advanced age. Joint pain and arthritis can both be exacerbated by excessive inflammation. It’s possible that altering one’s diet will reduce arthritis pain by reducing inflammation.
Fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains like quinoa, wheat, rice, and barley, are part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Foods that cause inflammation should be avoided, such as processed, fried, and sugary foods.
Final thoughts
Keep a record of your symptoms and keep researching the treatments that are most effective for you. Above all, avoid letting hand osteoarthritis keep you from engaging in your favorite pastimes. Your life can be a little easier if you plan ahead and make a few minor adjustments if you have hand osteoarthritis.
