Three Tools People with Arthritis Should Use Every Day

A little more than 20 percent of American adults currently suffer from arthritis, and that number is expected to increase to 26 percent by 2040. 

If you suffer from arthritis and want to minimize its effects by building strength and improving your mobility, try out these three tools today. 

​Therapy Putty

If your arthritis has weakened and limited your mobility in your hands, you may want to give therapy putty a try. 

Of all the tools available to people with arthritis, therapy putty is one of the lesser-known options. Many people even ask, “does therapy putty work?” 

The short answer is that, yes, it does work. 

Therapy putty comes in a variety of resistances to help people improve their fine motor skills and grip strength. It’s often used for stroke victims in occupational therapy, but people with arthritis can also benefit from it.

​Balance Board

Balance training has been proven to work wonders for people with osteoarthritis. It improves mobility and stability and also helps decrease joint pain. 

A balance board is a simple tool that helps you take your balance exercises to the next level. If you’re comfortable standing on one leg or doing exercises like squats, adding a balance board can give you the extra challenge you need to keep progressing. 

Simply stand on the board and practice balancing on one leg or doing your regular squats (with good form, of course). 

​Resistance Bands

Strength training is essential for everyone, including those who suffer from arthritis. Strength training improves balance and mobility while encouraging good posture and minimizing bone loss. 

If you’re not comfortable using weights or don’t have access to a gym, you can use resistance bands and resistance tubes to strength train from the comfort of your own home. 

Resistance bands are great for both isometric and isotonic exercises and can easily be stored in a closet or cupboard. You can even take them with you on the road, so you can still get your workouts in while traveling. 

Before you start using resistance bands in your workouts, inspect them carefully to make sure there aren’t any cracks or rips that could cause them to tear during an exercise.

​Final Thoughts

​Any one of these three tools will make a great addition to your daily strength-building routine. If you haven’t established a strength-building routine yet, use these tools to help you start one!