hand physical therapy | Arthritis Information

I just started physical therapy for my hands last week, suggested by my RD. I don't know how much it will help but it felt good! I'm going twice a week. It starts with a paraffin bath and ends with a contrast bath, soaking in alternating warm and cold water, with range of motion exercises in between. The goal is to learn some things I can do at home. I'm determined to keep playing the mandolin as long as I can. The biggest problem I'm having is some swelling and stiffness which makes it very difficult to apply pressure to the fretboard. I did play this morning with the church worship team...felt great even though the last song was pretty painful. The pain and stiffness definitely "cycles" with the Humira injections...feels good for about 10 days after each injection then fades dramatically the last couple of days before the next injection. I do consider myself fortunate though...music is such a blessing, such a wonderful way to express our deepest feelings and struggles. OK, now I'm rambling...hope everyone is feeling well today!

Alan

Alan2008-08-10 16:38:13Best of luck to you Alan! The PT sounds marvelously therapeutic! Hope it enables you to do what you love best!Alan - I went through OT last October with a hand/wrist specialist. I still do the glides and exercises 5 days a week. In the car, on the way to work - the putty and the 2lb. weight are now kept in the car. You won't regret this. CathyAlan,

Good luck with the PT. I hope it provides the relief you need. I also appreciate hearing how much playing the manolin (and music) means to you. Your positive attitude inspires me.

I totally believe that everyone with RA should consult with a hand therapist when they are first diagnosed. I think it could postively impact how much hand problems we get later onI agree with Buckeye, I too think everyone should have some hand therapy sessions early in the process. They teach you what not to do so that you can help prevent damage.

Alan, sounds like you need Humira every 10 days. I found those up and down times to be damaging and depressing. Feeling fine, doing everyting and bam slowly going backward. Isn't music in itself therapy? Hand therapy is wonderful. It helped me a great deal.

Here's a good website for info about arthritis of the finger joints.

http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=13

I did pt for a long while on my hands as well as other various body parts! I love the parrifin wax so much I finally bought one for home. I still have two baggies of the hand putty and use them while I am sitting watching tv or whatever, it helps keep them limber and less stiff.

You CAN use humira more than every 2 weeks. I was using it once a week for over a year. Ask your doc about it!
hand university is a great site..its a fairly comprensive site for hand problemsWent to PT again today...very pleasant experience.

I did ask my RD about taking Humira more frequently. She said no and started talking about alternatives. I'm not ready to give up something that's working so well to try something that might not work at all!

Alan

Why did the RD say no to bumping up the Humira? I started out on a biweekly dose and it didn't cut it. My rheumy moved it up to a weekly shot and what a difference.

She's pretty cautious with meds and felt it was better to try something different first, before increasing the risk of side effects by upping the dose. A bit of a dilemna...I'm not willing to risk giving up the benefits I get now from Humira to try something different. I do feel fortunate to feel as good as I do most of the time. I might try to convince her again!

Alan