11 Hygiene Hacks for High Pain Days with Arthritis – Healthline

Showering and bathing can be difficult when you’re living with arthritis. These hacks can help.

Have you ever had difficulty taking care of yourself independently due to arthritis?

You’re not alone. Many people don’t recognize just how many joints there are in their bodies until they experience joint pain. Then, it becomes quickly clear just how many joints are used for even the most simple daily activities!

After living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 19 years and being an occupational therapist for 9, I’ve learned many tips and tricks to make everyday tasks — like showering and bathing — easier.

When it comes to getting clean, the first thing to think about is: How will I get into the bathtub or shower?

People with osteoarthritis, RA, or ankylosing spondylitis may have pain, stiffness, or movement restrictions in their hips, knees, back, or feet. So, they might need alternate ways to get into or out of a shower or bathtub.

If you have lower body pain, you might find it easier to bathe in a shower that’s flush with the ground, rather than a bathtub that requires you to take a big step over the lip of the tub.

If you do need to get into a bathtub, it’s good to know that tub transfer benches exist.

These are waterproof pieces of adaptive equipment that allow you to pivot and slide into the tub without bending your knees or hips as much as you would if you were “stepping” into the tub. These are commonly used after hip or knee replacement surgeries.

Another tip for getting into and out of the shower or bath is to consider the benefits of grab bars. These can help you take some pressure off your lower body while getting into and out of the shower or bathtub, and can also assist you if you’re prone to losing your balance.

Sometimes, hand pain can make it difficult to even turn the water on in the first place. It can be helpful to assess the faucet style in your bathtub or shower and make sure it’s the easiest for you to use.

For example, you may find that faucets that use a lever are easier to use with sore hands than knobs that require you to twist. The resistance of each knob will also affect how easy it is to turn on and off.

Another thing to consider is the style of your shower head.

I have a handheld shower hose that has a long lever style mechanism for switching between different amounts …….

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis/hygiene-hacks-for-high-pain-days-with-arthritis