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If your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms interfere with day-to-day tasks, you may benefit from occupational therapy (OT). An occupational therapist can help you manage pain and fatigue, conserve your energy, and recommend workplace modifications.

If you have difficulty performing tasks in your day-to-day life, an occupational therapist can work with you to make these tasks easier.

Many occupational therapists specialize in RA. They may recommend certain exercises, adaptations, and devices you can wear or use.

They may also perform assessments to determine where you need help. These tests measure how well you can move and operate your joints. Your mental health may also be assessed in order to provide appropriate support.

OT for RA can include interventions for:

  • cooking and using appliances
  • bathing and getting dressed
  • working
  • driving
  • using the keyboard on your computer
  • participating in hobbies and other leisure activities

Working with an occupational therapist may improve your RA symptoms in several ways. You may find that it helps you:

  • manage pain
  • avoid added pain and fatigue
  • reduce your risk of injury
  • conserve your energy
  • boost your energy levels
  • use assistive devices like a cane or grabber
  • adapt tasks or modify the environment to your abilities
  • reduce the pain of a specific task in a specific joint
  • protect joints and tendons from damage from daily activities
  • do what you need and want to do every day

Managing these factors can contribute to living a full life that includes the ability to work and socialize.

However, keep in mind that while OT can help you navigate your daily life and improve symptoms, it cannot bring mobility back to permanently damaged joints.

After evaluating your current condition and discussing your limitations and needs, an occupational therapist will set recommended interventions.

This includes:

  • spreading work over several joints
  • allowing larger and stronger joints to take most of the strain
  • ensuring you are not twisting or straining joints when you use them

Your therapist may decide that one or more of these interventions can help you manage RA.

Exercise

Your OT may recommend regular exercise, such as:

Your occupational therapist can give you tips on how to get the most out of your exercise routine. For example, if you try yoga, they may recommend that modifying certain poses depending on your joint mobility.

Activity modifications

Limited mobility and dexterity in your joints may affect your ability to complete fine or gross motor tasks, like buttoning a shirt or opening a jar.

An occupational therapist can help you practice modified ways of completing these activities.

For example, they may recommend that you use your hands differently or put yourself in a more comfortable position before trying again.

They may also recommend you purchase different tools to help you with these tasks. For example, kitchen utensils and personal care products with larger handles and grips may be useful.

Assistive device utilization

Your occupational therapist may recommend certain assistive devices to improve everyday functioning.

These may include, but are not limited to:

  • jar openers, reachers, and easy-grip utensils
  • zipper pulls and button aids
  • shoe horns
  • bars and handrails
  • tap turners
  • raised toilet seats
  • kneelers
  • gasoline cap openers

Your therapist can advise you on what devices you may need, as well as where you can obtain them. They may also offer training for how to use assistive devices given to you by your doctor, such as wheelchairs and scooters.

Workplace modifications

Performing your job with RA symptoms may be difficult. An occupational therapist can suggest modifications to help you continue to perform your job.

These adaptions may include:

Energy management

Your occupational therapist can help you manage the fatigue associated with RA by:

  • balancing activities with rest
  • prioritizing tasks
  • planning ahead

This may also involve going through your calendar and managing your daily and monthly schedules together. You can identify upcoming activities and schedule rest.

Your occupational therapist can help you prioritize important events and encourage you to avoid overexerting yourself.

Before starting OT, talk to your doctor. RA treatment can involve many approaches, and your doctor will be able to determine whether or not it is a good fit for you based on your individual needs.

You may not need OT if you take medications that reduce your symptoms, but OT can help by providing recommendations on how to best protect your joints.

You may also consider it if:

  • you have limited joint mobility from past RA flares
  • your medication does not eliminate all joint pain and stiffness
  • you are seeking to manage your condition without medications

Occupational therapy is one of many ways that you can manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Finding an occupational therapist to help you make modifications in your life can keep you active and increase your mobility. These may include changes to how you complete tasks, exercise, work, and manage your time.