Today’s post is Shower Strategies with Chronic Arthritis Pain
Taking a nice hot shower is one of the best ways to treat pain and stiffness from arthritis (the heat can help loosen inflammatory chemicals in your joints that cause arthritis symptoms.)
When you have chronic arthritis pain, getting in and out of the shower can be difficult. You are also more likely to fall, so it’s time to make changes that will allow you to shower without compromising safety.
Install a Walk-In Tub
My mother fell a couple of years ago and broke her kneecap. Once that healed, she didn’t feel as confident lifting her legs over the side of the tub. She had a walk-in shower installed and now she can enjoy a warm shower every day.
Although this is an excellent option, it comes with a hefty price tag of about $6,000. You could check with your insurer to see if any part of the installation is covered but be prepared to pay the whole amount just in case.
Sit in a Shower Chair
If it is too difficult to wash those hard-to-reach places, and you’re afraid of falling, your personal hygiene may suffer.
According to occupational therapist Renee Makin, “We’ll recommend a shower chair to help conserve energy because, for a lot of people, showers can be taxing.”
The Dr. Maya Shower Chair with Adjustable Back comes with a white and black 12-inch shower handle that can be placed on flat porcelain, plastic, or smooth surface via its strong suction that grips securely by the flip of a tab. Best of all, no glue, tape, screws, or drilling is needed to support your weight getting in and out of a shower or tub.
This shower chair gets good reviews from arthritis patients for being comfortable, non-slip, and having both a back and armrests.
Use a Non-Slip Bath Mat
The shower is just too slippery for me without a non-slip bath mat. My husband Mark doesn’t like the feel of bath mats, but I like the peace of mind that I am not as likely to fall.
The Gorilla Grip Patented Shower and Bath Mat is 35×16, so it gives you extra coverage on the bottom of the tub. Suction cups keep you from slipping, and it doesn’t feel rough on the bottom of your feet. I like the choice of colors instead of having to buy the usual black or white non-slip bath mat.
Another feature I like about this bath mat is that it has hundreds of drainage holes, allowing water and air to circulate so you don’t have a build-up of moisture.
It’s machine washable so keeping it clean will help it last longer. The manufacturer recommends that you wash the bath mat before you use it for the first time.
Enjoy a Handheld Shower Head
“If it’s hard to position yourself under a regular shower head, using a handheld shower head can help,” says Tom Ryan, a physical therapist who works with arthritis patients at the Panorama Orthopedics Center.
This handheld shower head is designed specifically for people with disabilities, with an easy-to-grip handle and maneuverable head.
Choose from three different flows that help you relax your cares away.
Use a Long-Handled Brush Instead of a Loofah
You may be using a loofah sponge to clean and exfoliate your skin, but it is easy to drop, and then the pain of bending over to retrieve it. I like a bath brush back scrubber, and I can buy it in pink, my favorite color. The brush’s soft bristles easily reach every part of the body, and you may feel like you are getting a massage.
The bath brush back scrubber can remove dead skin and improve blood circulation. Poor blood circulation can cause pain in your legs, feet, arms, and hands. I will use anything that helps my arthritis pain, and this bath brush back scrubber sounds perfect for me.
If you are not a fan of pink, there are other colors available.
Final Thoughts
It would be nice if you didn’t have arthritis, and even though there is no permanent cure for it, you can minimize symptoms with some time and effort. These tips will get you started, so work with your doctor or physical therapist to get a treatment plan that works for you. Life should be enjoyed so live each day to the fullest.
