Im preparing to work with a client with severe arthritis in her hands and wrists. Any website recommendations or trainer tips?
My client is a middle aged female with very limited range of motion to her wrists due to pain. She is very dedicated to controlling her condition. She is medication free and eats an amazing diet which helps reduce pain. We use medicine and exercise balls in workouts but I am looking for more. Any websites, or exercise tips are appreciated!
Hi Jen,
I am not a personal trainer but do own a gym and have a loved one that I see battle rheumatoid arthritis daily. I do not know what kind of arthritis your client has, but IdeaFit has great resources. For a general article dealing with your question, go to “Training Clients with Arthritis”:
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/training-clients
I hope this helps!
Usually patients with these chronic problems will have seen a doctor, physician or physical therapist. Each of those usually give them basic guidelines based on what is good and what is contraindicated for physical exertion. I’d suggest touching bases with one of them to see what they’d suggest and building your program around that.
Hi Jen,
I, too, have one client whose hands a always very painful and who cannot easily grip anything. I sometimes use very soft fleece material and wrap it around dumbbells or straight bars to dissipate the pressure over a large area, and that works often, unless the arthritis is so severe on any given day that we have to scrap even that. I also use the straps, usually used for Pilates reformer leg circles, to wrap around her forearms/elbows, and that allows exercises like rowing.
There is also the option to look into the MELT Method hand treatment. If you just use the soft ball and go lightly, that may ease some pain and improve range of motion.
I wish you and your client good luck.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hello Jen Banks,
What exercises and workouts are you asking about?
In general, let the good days dictate how much the client can do. A warm pool is super for arthritic client workouts.
Working with the doctors is also very helpful, as well as getting informed of what did and did not work in the past.
The MELT method is worth looking into.
Take care.
