Therapeutic Uses of Household Items for Arthritis Relief: An Occupational Therapy Perspective

Living with arthritis can make everyday tasks challenging, but common household items can double as therapeutic tools to reduce pain and improve function. Occupational therapy often emphasizes using practical, accessible solutions to help clients regain independence and manage symptoms. Here, we’ll explore how rubber bands, cans or jars, and towels can support arthritis management with simple, cost-effective techniques!

Rubber bands are a versatile and affordable tool for therapy. They can be used for:

1. Finger Strengthening and Range of Motion Exercises: Place a rubber band around your fingers and thumb and gently spread them apart. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times to strengthen finger muscles and improve joint mobility. Additionally, wrap a rubber band around your thumb and each individual finger one at a time and extend gently to strengthen finger extension muscles. Finger walks are another finger exercise which can be completed without any materials. Simply place the palm of your hand on a flat surface and step your thumb away from the rest of your fingers. Then one at a time move your fingers towards your thumb and all the way back again. Repeat 10-15 times to improve the range of motion.
2. Built-Up Pencil Grips: If you are struggling to hold small objects like pens or pencils, wrapping rubber bands around the shaft creates a larger, cushioned grip. This reduces strain on arthritic joints and makes writing easier.
3. Non-Slip Material for Opening Jars: Stretch a thick rubber band around the lid of a jar to improve the grip and reduce the effort required to twist it open. This simple modification can save energy and reduce joint stress.

Everyday cans or jars can also serve therapeutic purposes, particularly for wrist and forearm strengthening:

1. Wrist and Forearm Strengthening Exercises: Use a small can or jar as a weight. Place your forearm on a table with your hand and wrist hanging off the edge in free space. Hold the can/jar in your hand and perform wrist curls or rotations to strengthen the muscles supporting your wrists and forearms. Start without weight if needed, then trial a light can and gradually increase the weight as strength improves.
2. Grip Training with Lids: Practice opening and closing jars with varying lid sizes to build grip strength and coordination. Start with larger lids and progress to smaller, tighter ones as strength improves.
3. Thermal Relief: Fill a jar with warm water and wrap a towel around it to create a soothing hand warmer. Holding the warm jar can provide pain relief and improve joint flexibility before exercise.

Towels offer a range of therapeutic uses, from improving grip to enhancing comfort:

1. Non-Slip Surface: Place a folded towel under a chopping board while cooking to keep it steady, reducing the need for hand pressure and minimising the risk of injury.
2. Rolled-Up Cushioning: Roll up a towel to use as lumbar support for the lower back. It can be placed behind the back on a chair or in the car to improve posture and reduce strain during long periods of sitting.
3. Grip Strength Activities: Use a rolled-up towel to squeeze within your fist or wring between two hands for grip strength exercises. Soak it in water and practice twisting it to strengthen your hand and wrist muscles. This activity mimics functional tasks and improves grip.

1. Sponges: Use a damp sponge for squeezing exercises to strengthen hand and finger muscles. This gentle activity is great for individuals with limited grip strength.
2. Tennis Balls: Cut a small slit into a tennis ball and use it as a hand exerciser. Squeezing the ball helps improve grip strength and relieve stiffness. Additionally, place the tennis ball over the handles of household objects like brooms, mops, crochet hooks, or tools to create a built-up, cushioned grip. This can make it easier for clients to hold and use these items without straining their joints.
3. Rolling Pins: A rolling pin can be used for forearm exercises or as a massaging tool to gently roll over tight muscles in the arms and legs, promoting relaxation and circulation.
4. Plastic Bags: Fill a plastic bag with rice or beans to create an adjustable weight for hand, wrist, or shoulder exercises. The bag’s flexibility makes it easier to hold and manipulate. Additionally, to support with dressing if wanting to wear tighter pants, place your foot first into the plastic bag, then push your bag-covered foot through your pant leg to support a friction-less donning of pants/leggings.
5. Clothespins: Practice pinching and releasing clothespins to strengthen fingers and improve fine motor skills. This simple exercise can also be incorporated into daily chores like hanging laundry.

By incorporating these simple household objects into your daily routine, you will be supported to maintain strength, reduce pain, and improve to perform everyday tasks. Give these practical solutions a go to enhance independence and relief within daily activities of meaning!