Occupational therapy is a health care profession, which provides services to individuals whose ability to function in everyday living is disrupted by physical illness or injury, mental illness or emotional problems.

The goal of occupational therapy is to assist individuals to achieve an independent, productive and satisfying lifestyle.

Occupational therapists work with individuals with arthritis referred to them by rheumatologists, family doctors and other health care professionals (referral form).

Occupational therapists work together with individuals with arthritis on an individual basis as well as in a group setting (see Day Programs).

In occupational therapy we feel individuals with arthritis should be involved in their treatment and take control of what is happening to their body. Individuals can learn to think ahead and develop a positive and creative attitude to all of their daily activities, and at the same time protect inflamed joints and save energy. Occupational therapists can provide you with tools that can be incorporated into a your daily activities and give you a new sense of control over your arthritis.

Your occupational therapist will perform a full assessment including medical history, history of arthritis and treatment, assessment of swollen and tender joints, movement of joints, fatigue level and level of functioning performing activities related to self-care, homemaking, leisure or work. The assessment provides a clear picture of all of your issues. Your occupational therapist is then able to provide you with the knowledge, skills and devices required to modify the way you approach your activities in order to continue to participate in the activities that you enjoy.

Occupational therapists provide individuals with arthritis education on Splinting, Energy Conservation, Proper Body Mechanics, Foot Management, Joint Protection, Assistive Devices, Community Resources and Improving Functioning.

Individuals with arthritis are often referred to occupational therapy for splinting. Splinting can help to reduce pain and inflammation, increase function during activities, provide stability to joints, and slow down or reduce deformities. Your occupational therapist can provide you with prefabricated or custom made splints. Common hand splints used by individuals with arthritis include wrist splints, thumb splints, finger splints, full hand resting splints and MCP splints (splints for knuckle joints) (see splinting).

More energy is required for individuals with arthritis for movement because extra effort is needed to stabilize weak joints. Education regarding energy conservation will inform you on the relationship between over-activity and your symptoms and provide you with creative ways to modify your activities in order to conserve energy. Your occupational therapist will provide you with techniques in order to control pain, decrease fatigue and improve your endurance for activities (see tips on Energy Conservation).

Activities of daily living put stress on body tissues, which can lead to increased inflammation, pain and damage. Education on proper body mechanics will inform you how to position yourself and the postures you should use to make activities less demanding on your muscles, joints and tissues that help them to work more efficiently (see tips on ergonomics).

Fatigue is a symptom of arthritis. Managing fatigue involves new ways of organizing time, tasks and rest periods. Occupational therapists can provide you with education on good sleep habits and their relationship to fatigue management.

Education on foot management will help you to manage foot pain and inflammation, prevent or diminish deformity and help to increase your tolerance for walking, standing and performing daily activities. Occupational therapists can provide you with education on common foot conditions seen in arthritis, proper footwear qualities, orthotics and foot care.

Education on joint protection will inform you on ways to protect your joints when performing activities. Altering or reducing forces on joints can help to preserve joint structures, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and help to increase functional endurance for daily activities (see joint protection principles).

Education on assistive devices (equipment designed to increase independence) may be needed to help increase safety and independence. Assistive devices are available for your self-care (e.g. dressing, bathing, grooming, cooking, eating, sleeping), leisure (e.g. walking, gardening, golfing, cycling, crafts and reading) and work activities. The use of assistive devices can help when activities are painful, tiring or difficult to perform. Devices can help to decrease joint pain and inflammation, protect joint structures, and increase functional endurance for activities. The use of assistive devices can help to maintain your independence and should not be considered as giving in to your arthritis (see vendor list).

Education on community resources will inform you on resources available to you that may help you in your daily activities. Resources are available in the community to help with activities that you may be having some difficulty with such as cleaning, meal preparation, dressing, grooming, driving, shopping and yardwork (see list of community resources).

If you are having difficulty performing activities relating to self-care, homemaking, leisure or work, your occupational therapists can educate you on methods to modify current activities so that they are within your physical limits. This may include helping you to develop the skills required to perform the activity, modifying the activity or the environment in which the activity is performed or providing you with information on devices available that may assist you in performing the activity.

You and your occupational therapist will work together to develop a plan relating to how you will incorporate all of your new coping strategies into your daily activities.

Talk to your family doctor or your rheumatologist about being referred to occupational therapy.