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News Releases
Arthritis Center Offers Tips to Minimize Holiday Shopping Aches and Pains
Columbia, Mo. (Dec. 13, 2004) - The holidays can be a joyous, yet stressful time for adults who try to cram multiple tasks, such as holiday shopping, into their already busy schedules. When it comes to adults who have arthritis or an arthritis-related condition, the stress can often times settle in their joints as well as into their busy lives. Experts at the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC) at the University of Missouri-Columbia say there are steps that individuals with arthritis can take in order to minimize pain and stress that can result from holiday shopping.
Occupational therapist Diana Baldwin says the most important things to remember are mini-rest breaks of five minutes every half hour and joint stretches.
"Sitting will allow muscles to recover, and joint stretches will relieve the joints from the cramped positions they may have been in while holding packages and purses," says Baldwin. "The gripping and holding positions can lead to pain. 'Shop 'til you drop' should be 'Rest while you shop' for people with arthritis."
Baldwin recommends joint stretches by opening and closing the hands; bending and rotating the wrist and elbows; rotating the shoulders; gentle neck rolls; bending the back, hips, knees, and ankles; and wiggling the toes. Holding the body in a mechanically compressed position can be harmful and painful.
Getting in and out of the car also can be a deterrent for shoppers with arthritis. Consider getting swivel seat cushions that are sold in the arthritis self-help catalogues or auto stores. Drug stores that carry self-help items also can order one for you.
When shopping, Baldwin also recommends using a folding shopping cart. The cart handle should be padded with foam such as insulation foam or a couple of foam hair curlers. If merely using a shopping bag, you might want to slip a piece of insulation foam around the shopping bag handles. Insulation foam is available at major hardware stores and comes in several diameters. Baldwin recommends that you pick the size that fits your hand when making a circle.
If possible, unload your packages in your car or find out if your mall or store has a package check-in service. When it comes to wrapping, Baldwin recommends that people with arthritis should consider decorated boxes, stick-on ribbons or the wonderful assortment of paper bags and tissue. Many malls also have inexpensive wrapping services or civic groups that have wrapping stations.
Arthritis affects an estimated 70 million Americans - nearly one of every three people. It's an umbrella term for more than 100 diseases and conditions, which affect joints, the surrounding tissues and other connective tissues. For information about MARRTC, visit the Web site at www.marrtc.org.
The Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions.
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