OT: This group and arthritis

I think that was me :) I remember posting about it...I use mine regularly and boy does it help! I even got my feet in it more than once - really LOL

-Irene

Well, I don't have arthritis but have used one of those at the nail salon and it is wonderful. Would be nice to have one at home.

Kirsten

:-)) Have you made him a couple of wheatbags so he can alternate them through the microwave and onto his shoulder?

Glad to hear the hands are feeling better. Must remember about that machine when my hands reach that stage.

I certainly thank you! The thing is heating up right now. I didn't expect a miracle, I knew that the effect would wear off, but today, it's mostly just one joint that's still hollering at me. Plus now I know to look at the one light to see if it's changed from red to green. *sigh* What a dummy!

Feet? I don't think mine would fit! But I do think an elbow would make it. Pity the old man's shoulder won't.

No, no wheatbags. But I did let him have my Extra-Strength Bayer. The doctor gave him some super-duper stuff to take, but when he looked at the possible side-effects, decided to try aspirin first. A wise decision, I think. It's giving him some relief, too.

Fold up a bathtowel lengthwise; wet it (to the wrung out dry state) and microwave it till hot but not scalding. Wrap affected joint.

There's also Biofreeze Gel, which I found out about from a chiropracter at Sew Expo a few years ago... I'd fallen on one knee on concrete and was limping pretty badly. She gave me a couple of packets to apply and I limped off to the john to inspect the damage, then on to class. Came back after class to buy a quart of it. It has proved useful for all sorts of muscle strain and arthritis-y things in this house. Found out the EMTs who work the local marathon like it, too. Doesn't stink, and one application lasts

4-6 hours for me.

The chiropracter and all her sewing goodies are usually at Sew Expo:

'll also vouch for the Theraball to squeeze and the power web). Kay

Good information. We have a little sauna in the basement, and he spends time in that. He thinks it helps.

Depending where in his shoulder.... a C shaped rice bag might help. I use

100% cotton flannel, teeny stitch length and Plain White Rice. (no minute rice, darling, bad things could happen. lol) The C shaped kind (like for a travel pillow but slightly smaller) will fit around the back of the neck or around the outer part of the shoulder. (nuke for 2 minutes with a cup of water sitting next to it in the microwave. very nice warm moist heat.)

Now, if he doesn't want to smell like hot rice. Or if he thinks that's far too girly, because you might do something like put lavender in there to cover the smell of the rice... Has he tried the stick on heat wraps? They come in different sizes and shapes. I've used the "thermacare" kind for different aches and pains. They say they will stay hot for up to 8 hours, and they really will. (it's cold enough here today and tomorrow, I'm tempted to stick 4 or 5 of the things all over my body just to keep warm!!! lol) Those might give him some simple (and med free) relief too.

I think I'm asking for the parafin thing for my birthday. Or maybe Valentine's day. Shoot, Groundhog Day is closer.... ;) I'm glad it works so well for you. I really am going to have to check into getting one. No arthritis...yet in my hands. But some mornings they just ache if I've done a lot of hand sewing or crochet the night before. So the warning signs are there. And it's not like I'm gonna stop sewing. ;)

Sharon

So far, he's relying on aspirin and the sauna. I tried to get him to consider a heat pack or Thermacare. I use the Thermacare on my knee sometimes - feels like I could use one today. With the rice bag, I have to keep reheating it, and I sort of burned mine so it doesn't smell very good now. But the Thermacare lasts a good 12 to 14 hours in my experience.

It's not really practical to use a pack on your hands. Maybe if you didn't want to use your hands, but that just doesn't work for me. The hot wax feels really good and the effect lasts for a little while, but it's not long term. But it feels so good to get a break from the aches. I have found the worst spots are where I've injured a joint, in one case, about 50 years ago. And the thumbs, which my kindly family doctor tells me are the first to go because we use them so much. They wear out. That would be true of knees, too.

The wax bath is not expensive. It's worthwhile to shop around on line. I think mine was about $30 delivered. Not like the bathtub I'd like to have with the little air bubble massage which would probably set us back about $10K so, surprise!, I'm not getting it. It's not just the cost of the tub, but the demolition, and reconstruction, plus wiring for the heater, yadda yadda, which puts it in the stratosphere, especially for someone who prefers a shower and would just like to soak from time to time with nice massage.