Arthritis is a debilitating condition that causes the cartilage to wear down in your joints. It can affect certain joints in your body at a time or several of them at once. When arthritis affects the joints in your hands and fingers, it can be very difficult to interact with the world around you.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help manage the pain and slow the progression of the disease. It’s important to stick to your doctor’s recommended treatments as well as making some of the changes below to help reduce the pain and improve your range of motion and grip.

Managing arthritis pain in the hands

1. Exercise — When you think of exercising, you probably think of running or lifting weights, not strengthening your hands. However, there are gentle exercises you can do with your hands that help improve their strength and flexibility. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about exercises that are safe for you to perform.
   
2. Improve your diet — Your diet needs to include more foods rich in lean proteins, unsaturated fats, colorful fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. These foods help introduce nutrients into your body that can help improve the health of your muscles and joints while reducing your risk of increased inflammation.
   
3. Use a brace — A hand splint can help support your hand, wrist and fingers. This can reduce some strain on your joints, which helps reduce pain and stiffness from arthritis.
   
4. Find ways to ease up your life — Organize your home and daily life to better suit your condition. Use an ergonomic handle on your telephone. Use an ergonomic mouse and keyboard at your computer. Use electric can openers and other assistive gadgets instead of manual ones.
   
5. Do regular physical therapy — Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in treatments for conditions like arthritis. They can examine your condition and guide you through a personalized routine to help manage the pain, improve your range of motion and slow down the progression of the disease. It’s important to stick to your physical therapy routine to get the best results out of it. Visit your physical therapist on a regular basis for treatment and advice.

Visit Franklin Rehabilitation for arthritis treatment

Is arthritis in your hands limiting the ways you can interact with the world around you? Our team at Franklin Rehabilitation is here to help. We can examine your condition and guide you through a personalized treatment routine to help manage the pain and improve your range of motion. Contact our team today for more information about arthritis in your hands or to schedule an initial appointment.