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Therapy for Hands

Posted , 8 users are following.

EmFox
EmFox

Anyone care to tell what their favorite relief is for tired achey hands? Could be for any joints but I often feel that I've overworked my hands working around the house and on those days I find myself trying to relax and I don't know what to do. I sit and knead one with the other, but that only tires them more. Stretching exercises?

Short of a hand massage what's your favorite self therapy?

Heat? Cold? Lotions?

Holding my phone certainly isn't helping either!

Love to hear from you- an internet search has too much blather and I'm sure some of us dealing with this stupid disease have good ideas you could share.

Thanks for listening and sharing your experience.

E

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • michelle65680
    michelle65680 EmFox

    Posted

    Paraffin wax is very good. Try this at your beaty therapest. It has helped me with pain.. 
    • jbjb93
      jbjb93 michelle65680

      Posted

      Hi michelle65680!

      How do you heat your wax?  I have an old machine and didn't think about using it for RA!  But it takes 8 hours to heat the wax in my machine.

      Do you leave it plugged in and warm all the time?

    • sherry29159
      sherry29159 jbjb93

      Posted

      I had one and it heated it really quickly. I wouldn't leave it on indefinitely. Check them out on amazon. I found it quite messy peeling the wax off but that was just me. It may suit you well.

    • EmFox
      EmFox michelle65680

      Posted

      Finding a beauty therapist will have to be another post sometime but I'll have to look into paraffin.

      Thank you Michelle!

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure EmFox

    Posted

    In my case I always protect my hands by wearing gloves. This is a good way to prevent injuries while using them.

    My fav therapy is lavender oil hot wax . Dipping hands into warm wax really relaxes the muscles and sore joints. Also see your rhumey for antiinflammatory drugs and pain meds when needed. 

    • EmFox
      EmFox hope4cure

      Posted

      Hey Hope4Care

      Thanks for the tip.

      My some requested a gift of semidisposable work gloves he liked. I bought a dozen for me too! I think they do help and use them often.

      Thanks

  • ivan17274
    ivan17274 EmFox

    Posted

    hi emfox

    for me it depends on the weather outside. if it's freezing cold hot running water from the tap is heaven. if it's warm, the old ice bucket comes out. liquid paraffin takes some beating, but on the psychological stakes for me my favourite huge mug makes an entrance filled with cocoa, feet up watching TV with my hands clasped round it. superb! take care, ivan.

    • EmFox
      EmFox ivan17274

      Posted

      Ivan- I think my tendency to insist on doing the dishes must be related to a desire to have my hands in warm water. Thank you!
  • sherry29159
    sherry29159 EmFox

    Posted

    Hi Em

    I get very achey feet and my hands do get very painful. I find soaking in a bowl of Epsom salts really helps. Just put some comfortably hot water in bowl and throw in a handful of salts. Its known for its beneficial effects.

    • EmFox
      EmFox sherry29159

      Posted

      Thanks Sherry

      It's an old remedy probably for a reason. I'll have to try it.

  • mary76396
    mary76396 EmFox

    Posted

    Hi Em, my sister in law was diagnosed many years ago before all these new  fangled drugs were available. She went for treatment on her hands consisting of warm wax and wrapped in hot towels. She always said it helped. I thought I might get offered this when I was diagnosed but no such luck. I do however have the meds to help.
    • sherry29159
      sherry29159 mary76396

      Posted

      You can buy wax machines in which you melt the wax which you can buy on Amazon. I had one but didn't find it worked for me. But it may for you. Look on Amazon for wax baths. I swear by Epsom salts but we must try everything and see what works best.

    • EmFox
      EmFox sherry29159

      Posted

      I'll have to look harder at the wax thing. It sounds like I'd be deep frying them, but I know that's not the case. The salts though, I think I need to have some on hand since several have mentioned it. I have some rice filled bags that I toss in the microwave a few minutes to knock the chill off, it's along the lines of towels that also would be helpful. Great ideas!

      ?Thank you

    • EmFox
      EmFox mary76396

      Posted

      Good thing we have these drugs now. Can you imagine having RA only thirty or so years ago? I'm on Enbrel now and life is much better than 2011. Maybe it's why I overwork myself, but it's helpful to remember what I used to be able to do.

      ?Thanks Mary

       

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