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Aging News & Information
Nine Ways for Senior Citizens to Relieve Joint
Stress and Pain
 Less
stress on joints means less pain for aging bodies
January 8, 2007 - It happens to almost all senior
citizens - joint pain from a lifetime of lifting, bending and normal
wear and tear. Beyond medication, there are steps you can take to
relieve stress while going about your daily activities, according to the
Cleveland Clinic.
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Aging News & Information |
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If you’ve lived long enough, inflammation in the
ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist can cause pain, swelling and
limited motion.
If you have joint pain or suffer from arthritis, no
doubt you’ve already been prescribed medication by your doctor to reduce
these symptoms. But there’s a lot you can do yourself—apart from taking
your medication—to lessen joint pain.
Following are some time-proven steps from a
newsletter called Arthritis Advisor, published by Cleveland Clinic.
1. Control your weight. Obesity puts extra
stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the back, hips, knees and feet.
2. Be aware of body position, using good
posture to protect your back and the joints of your legs and feet.
Whenever possible, sit down to perform a job instead of standing. Change
position often, since staying in one position for an extended period
tends to increase stiffness and pain.
3. Conserve energy by allowing for rest
periods during the workday and while performing any activity.
4. Respect pain. It’s your body’s way of
telling you something is wrong. Don’t involve yourself in an activity
that puts strain on joints that are already painful or stiff.
5. Use care when getting in and out of a
car, chair, or tub, as well as for climbing, lifting, carrying, pulling,
or pushing objects. Think before you strain. Tip: Try to always sit in
the highest chair in the room, and look for chairs with armrests to make
it easier to get up.
6. Use your strongest joints and muscles to
reduce the stress on your smaller joints. For example, carry a purse,
handbag, or briefcase by its shoulder strap rather than by its handle.
7. Distribute pressure to minimize stress on
any single joint. Lift dishes with both of your palms rather than with
your fingers, and carry heavy loads in your arms instead of with your
hands.
8. Avoid tight gripping, pinching, squeezing
and twisting if your hands are affected by arthritis. Ways to accomplish
the same tasks with alternate methods or tools can usually be found.
9. Investigate assistive devices. Many of
these self-help products—bath stools, grippers, reachers, grab bars—have
been developed to make every-day activities easier and less stressful on
your joints and muscles. Your doctor or physical therapist can suggest
devices that will be helpful for tasks you may find difficult at home or
at work.
Editor’s Note:
The source of this information is a subscription
newsletter published by Cleveland Clinic. For more information, click on
http://www.arthritis-advisor.com)
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