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25 Must-Have Products to Help Arthritis Pain
When you have a chronic illness or live with arthritis, having certain items that can make your life easier and less painful are essential. Below I have listed 25 Must-Have Products to Help Arthritis Pain.
Some of these products I have used personally and love. Some were recommended by other people from my arthritis support group. If you are interested in purchasing these items I have provided links.
Magnetic clasps
Magnetic clasps for bracelets and necklaces are something I’m familiar with because I worked for a few different goldsmiths in a jewelry shop. I saw firsthand how having these magnetic clasps really helped customers. They really work well and are safe and very strong. I saw how much joy it brought to customers being able to wear their jewelry once again. I do recommend having these installed in a reputable fine jewelry store.
Automatic Can Opener
This was my first buy after I started having bad wrist pain. An automatic can opener is something I think every house should have. I have had this can opener for years and it is still going strong.
Potato Peeler
Bracelet Buddy
If you like to wear bracelets often I highly recommend this bracelet tool. Some people refer to them as the bracelet buddy. This particular one is a generic brand and works great. This tool allows you to hook your bracelet with ease. You just use the clamp at the end of the handheld wand to hold your bracelet in place.
Ice packs
Reusable ice packs are a must. Ice packs work nice for decreasing pain and swelling. Ice packs reduce the blood flow which can help with the swelling that causes pain.
Heat packs
Reusable heat packs are great for helping with pain. I’ve read using heat is best for stiffness in joints or muscle pain. Apply heat increases blood flow and nutrients to the area.
Wide width Pens and Pencils
I have found using wider width pens like Bic 1.6mm really helps. With Arthritis and joint pain and stiffness holding smaller objects is more difficult and painful. I personally use these pens. It’s not painful to write with them and they write so smoothly.
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Bucklbee-Easy Buckle release for car seats
This buckle release tool is a savior if you have little ones in car seats. Sadly I did not know Bucklebee Easy Car Seat Buckle Release Aid existed when my children were in car seats. There were many times I found myself in tears because I could not unbuckle my baby or toddler. There was one time I had to have a stranger help me in a grocery store parking lot. What’s great about this tool is it’s super affordable.
Paraffin bath for hands and feet
I have had so many people tell me a paraffin dip helps their pain so much. Luckily paraffin baths are relatively inexpensive. Plus they make your hands so soft and supple.
Shower Chair
Being able to sit down in the shower helps in many ways. If you’re too weak to stand this Shower Chair can help preserve energy. If it’s painful to stand, sitting will usually bring relief. Also, it’s safer. When you are weak or in pain usually you’re not very stable.
Automatic Shampoo/Conditioner Dispenser
Having to squeeze shampoo or conditioner bottles when you have joint pain is torturous. I have found myself many times wanting to cry in the shower because I could not squeeze the conditioner bottle. I would have to turn a conditioner bottle upside down and press it against the shower wall with my forearm against the bottle squeezing out whatever I could get. I just discovered these Automatic Shampoo/Conditioner Dispensers and can’t wait to get them installed.
French Door handles for doors
What is really nice about using French doorknob handles is you can use your elbow or arm to open a door. Door knobs are so hard to grasp when you are in pain or limited strength to grasp and turn.
Basket Trolley/Baskets with Wheels
A basket trolley with wheels is great for bringing in groceries or any other items from shopping. Laundry baskets with wheels are amazing on laundry days. Carrying heavy items in a laundry basket is nearly impossible while in a flare. I love baskets with wheels! They are truly a Godsend to me.
ADA Compliant Faucets
Faucets need to be easy to turn on and shut off. Turning knobs with arthritis can be very painful. In order for faucets to pass an ADA compliance test they need to be able to be operated with one hand. They must not require twisting or tight grasping. The force to activate the faucet can not be over 5 lbs. One of the most highly rated faucets is the Delta Haywood Faucet. There are many others of course but Delta is a trusted brand industry-wide.
Sock Aid
Sometimes getting my socks on in a flare can bring me to tears. And it can take minutes. That’s a long time to get on socks. The soak aid is so nice!
Wear stretchy clothing
Wearing stretch pants or sweatshirts make getting dressed on your own so nice. Choosing clothing that has no buttons or hooks is best. Amazon essentials have some great sweatpants. I was impressed with their quality too. These sweat pants pictured below I like because they have a wider opening at the ankle, so when I’m putting them on I don’t have to point my feet to get them through a tapered opening at the bottom. For me, when I’m in a flare pointing my feet hurt.
Slip on shoes
Choosing slip-on shoes is a wise choice. Also make sure that you have at least one pair of shoes that allow for swelling and inflammation. I have a few pairs of shoes like this one as well as slippers. I also really like the UGG-style boots. I got them a size and a half too big on purpose so I can slip them on easily. I really like these Sketchers slip-on shoes too because they come in wide widths. So this really helps when my feet swell.
Long Shoe Horn
Bending over to put shoe on can be really difficult. Shoehorns can help so much.
A pill case
Having your meds all portioned out for the week or month depending on your case makes life easier. Opening a child-proof bottle when you are in pain is just awful. I usually ask someone in my family to open the meds that are in childproof caps and then fill my weekly pill container for the week. This way I don’t have to struggle opening the pill containers. You can also ask the pharmacist for non-childproof caps.
Electric Jar gripper/opener
Nothing is more frustrating than being hungry or needing something as simple as some mayo for a sandwich or wanting to make a PB&J sandwich and not being able to open a jar. This electric jar opener is a game-changer. Every home should own one of these.
Cellphone holder
Something like a PopSocket or iRing can help prop your phone up so you don’t need to grip it.
Electric blanket
For myself, heat can really help relieve pain. I know for myself when my arthritis is bad in my hands simply the weight my comforter hurts to pull uptight up. So having a lightweight electric blanket can help keep me warm.
Grabber
Grabber tools are great for reaching things when your arms won’t allow you to reach them.
Touch Lamps
Not having to worry about grasping and turning tiny switches is so nice. Touch lamps have been around for a while I can’t believe I didn’t even think about getting one of these sooner.
Wrist and hand stabilizers
Sometimes during sleep my wrists will bend into a position that is extremely painful and the pain will wake me up. Wearing these wrist/hand stabilizers helps keep them in position.
Additional Resources on Arthritis
https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-info/
Conclusion
All of these products can make a big difference in the quality of life for anyone with chronic illness or arthritis. I hope you found this post helpful. Let me know in the comments if you have any of these products.
Much Love,
Melissa
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