Rheumatoid Arthritis: How Occupational and Physical Therapy Can Make a Difference
It's never too late
Never worked with a physical therapist before? It's never too late to start! Getting physical therapy when you have rheumatoid arthritis is extremely beneficial for your health. At your first appointment, the therapist will ask you questions about your details the medical history, and will also perform a complete assessment of your physical abilities and limitations. They will also ask you for any specific reasons for why you are seeking therapy, to gauge what kinds of goals are most important to you. This initial assessment is important for your therapist to establish your baseline - which is what your functional picture looks like before starting any sort of therapy. After that, the therapist will work with you to develop a therapy plan that might encompass the use of devices, special exercises, water therapy, and/or other types of specialized interventions.
