Over 50? Keeping Up With Your Healthcare Needs

3 Ways To Use A Walk In Tub To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

6 September 2016

Nellie Ryan

Not succumbing to the pain and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult for the 1.3 million Americans that are affected by this condition. While rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, the symptoms can be managed in many ways. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, consider investing in a walk in bathtub, as there are 3 ways you can use it to your advantage.

Soak in Warm Water During Hydrotherapy

If you don't have a Jacuzzi at home, the next best thing you can get is a walk in bathtub. Most walk in tubs come equipped with water jets for hydrotherapy. The warm water being spewed out by these jets can increase blood flow to your joints and to affected areas of the body. This will soothe tensed muscles and tendons to decrease pain, discomfort, and inflammation. You can positions the jets so that they target specific parts of your body.

Perform Light Exercises to Strengthen Joints and Muscles

Warm water exercises have also been known to help manage arthritis symptoms, and there are plenty of different types of exercises that you can try out when sitting in the walk in tubs. Commonly-recommended exercises include forward arm reaches, elbow bends, wrist turns, finger curls and side leg lifts. Try to follow through with the complete joint range of motion, but don't force it. Stop immediately if you experience any sudden or increased pain. Constant exercise will keep you nimble and on your feet for longer.

Textured Flooring and Safety Bars for Extra Support During Bad Days

When you're having bad days, the symptoms you are experiencing may be so painful that you don't want to do anything at all. Your range of motion may be severely limited. In these situations, you'll want to take advantage of the textured flooring, the safety bars and the seating options offered by the walk in tubs to help prevent exacerbating the symptoms. You don't want to put unnecessary stress and pressure on your joints, as it will only worsen your condition and situation. Walk in tubs also prevent slips and falls.

Conclusion

While there isn't a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, you can still help yourself by managing the symptoms with the help of the many features offered by a walk in tub. There are many models available with unique features designed to cater to different conditions and situations. Shop around to find a model best suited to your needs. A walk in tub is a great investment that will surely improve your quality of living in the long run.

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