Occupational therapy gets people with osteoarthritis moving
September 30, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
There are three things that people are always told they should do in order to stay healthy: 1) eat well, 2) get enough sleep, and 3) exercise regularly. But, if you’re living with chronic pain, the part about getting regular exercise isn’t that easy.
According to a press release issued yesterday “An occupational therapist-led approach – called activity strategy training – could provide patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis the opportunity to lead more active lives and even improve their overall health, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System.”
The training involved having occupational therapists teach patients about joint protection, proper body mechanics, activity pacing, and environmental barriers. The patients were taught specific techniques for walking on different terrains (in the house or outside) and different types of movements, such as getting in and out of cars.
Two groups participated in a structured exercise program. One group received the activity strategy training, the other didn’t. Those who received the training ended up with an increase in the intensity of physical activity at the end of the study compared to those who received health education only.
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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, living with chronic pain, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, occupational therapy
