Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #1

At The Arthritis and Infusion Center, we’re always looking for ways to help our patients cope with Arthritis, while at the same time giving them strategies for daily living.  Recently, we found an interesting article by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, in Significant Living magazine, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the KITCHEN:

• Use electric appliances. (Manual options can put stress on your joints.) 
• Use pre-cut vegetables and nuts.(Although a little more pricy, you will be more  likely to eat these health-giving snacks, and your joints will thank you as well!) 
• Keep pots and pans near the stove and try to store them at waist level. (This reduces lifting and stress on hand and wrist joints.) 
• Use large handle kitchen utensils for easier grip. (And, light-weight utensils would also help.) 
• Sit down while preparing meals. (What’s the hurry? With Arthritis, it’s important to lower your stress level.) 
• Install lever faucets, or easy grips, on faucet handles for easier turning to close. 
• Use disposable pans, non-stick pans, foils, and sprays to reduce, or eliminate, cleaning.
• Dispose of all clutter, and set up work stations (cutting area, coffee, etc.). 
• If you use mats in the kitchen, make sure they are the non-slip, industrial variety that provide good support and cushion for your feet and legs. (Rugs should be avoided.)

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health (www.nia.nih.gov) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov). However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. In fact, several of his patients have actually moved to this area just because of the level of treatment they receive from Dr. Crayton. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can make your life easier and more pain free!