Rheumatic Diseases

Rheumatic diseases are painful conditions. They are usually caused by swelling, and inflammation in the joints or muscles, and pain is often associated with it.

Some rheumatic diseases like osteoarthritis are the result of wear and tear to the joints, whereas other rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) occur when the immune system becomes hyperactive. When the immune system becomes hyperactive it attacks the linings system of joints, causing joint destruction, leading to pain and swelling.

Our Occupational Therapists are healthcare professionals who are dedicated to empowering individuals with rheumatic disease live their life to the fullest. Our Occupational Therapist have specialised knowledge and skills to modify environments which will enable individual's with Rheumatic diseases to do everyday activities.

Problems associated with rheumatic diseases

Rheumatic diseases can make any joint within the body feel stiff, painful and inflamed. However what is often unknown is that the disease is that it can cause complications anywhere within the body. As a result can affect a person's ability to complete the following day to day activities:

• Washing and dressing
• Mobilising inside and outside the home
• Driving
• Work activities
• Sleeping
• Leisure and social activities
• Household duties - cooking and cleaning
• Climb the stairs

Our Occupational Therapists can analyse an individual's work and leisure activities, discover where the problems lie and suggest possible changes. For example if an individual finds it extremely uncomfortable to sit and a computer desk for long periods of the day, our Occupational Therapists can complete a workplace assessment and recommend supportive aids such as, wrist and hand braces. Our specialist Occupational Therapy treatment will enable individuals with rheumatoid diseases to maximise their independence within the workplace and increase their quality of life.

What exactly is rheumatic disease?

Rheumatic diseases are painful conditions usually caused by inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints or muscles. Currently 100 diseases are classified as rheumatic diseases, including different types of arthritis.

Arthritic conditions illustrate red, swollen joints and inflamed connective tissues including; cartilage, synovial tissue, and tendons. Some rheumatic diseases are referred to as autoimmune diseases, meaning that the body's own immune system is attacking parts of the body.

Here are some of the more common rheumatic diseases:

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Infectious arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Rheumatic arthritis
• Sclerodoma

While all rheumatic diseases differ from each other in some small but important ways, they share one important characteristic: if diagnosed early you can preserve your mobility and reduce pain.

Occupational Therapy assessments suitable for a rheumatic diseases

Our Occupational Therapists will complete a combination of standardised and none standardised assessments to enable them to gather the relevant information needed to devise an appropriate treatment plan. Some of the most common assessments used include the following:

• Cognitive assessments
• Housing assessment
• Seating assessment
• Functional assessment
• Activities of daily living assessments
• Aids and adaptations assessment
• Risk assessment

Occupational therapy treatment available

Our Occupational Therapy treatments aim at enhancing an individual's participation in everyday living activities. Our Occupational Therapists use their knowledge and skills to enable individuals and promote their health and well-being. Our treatments for individuals with rheumatic diseases aim to improve the following:

• Social interaction
• Functional independence
• Safety
• Pain management

Our Occupational Therapy treatments are individualised to meet the needs of each individual. Our treatments are extremely effective with individuals with rheumatic diseases and aim to improve functional abilities and overall life satisfaction. Our treatments can be conducted here in one of our clinics or in the comfort of your own home.

Summary

Rheumatic diseases are chronic and in some cases progressive. They can affects an individual's ability to complete day to day activities and can impact greatly on their quality of life. Our Occupational Therapists are highly skilled in dealing with rheumatic diseases and can increase an individual's level of function and independence through effective treatment planning. Our Occupational Therapy treatment can make a huge difference to the lives of those affected by rheumatic diseases.

How to arrange to see an occupational therapist?

If you feel you would from one of our Occupational Therapy interventions then please feel free to email us with your enquires at office@londonot.co.uk or Call us on 02033 937 332