Protecting Your Joints When Grooming or Dressing

Protecting Your Joints When Grooming or Dressing

 

handheld shower head, shower seat, and non-slip rubber mat in shower

Try these tips to protect your joints, prevent joint stress and strain, and keep your joint problems from getting worse. Talk to your health care provider for more ideas, or read the resource, Saving Energy and Making Work Simple, for more tips.

General tips

  • Prepare your joints for activity by warming up with light stretches.
  • Change positions often.
  • Place items you use often in easy reach. Place heavy items at waist level to limit lifting.
  • Take a rest break about every 30 minutes so that you do not get tired. Check in with your body and decide if it’s best to continue working or save remaining tasks for another day.
  • Ask for help.
  • Respect your pain. If an activity causes pain, change the way you do the activity or stop and take a rest break whether or not you’ve finished the task. Check in with your body often and use the tips in this handout to conserve your energy. Talk to your health care team if there is something you need help with, so you don’t strain your joints.

Grooming tips

  • Allow plenty of time for grooming. Rest as needed.
  • Do grooming tasks while sitting as much as possible. Standing takes more energy.
  • Turn faucets on with the palms of your hands instead of your fingers. Faucets with longer handles may be easier to use.
  • Bathe or shower when you have the most energy. A chair or stool may help in the bathtub or shower, so you don’t have to bend as much. A grab bar may make getting in and out easier and safer, even if there is someone there to help you. 
  • A loofah, sponge, or bath mitt may work better than a washcloth, so you don't have to wring it out. It is also easier to hold. 
  • Wash your hair in the shower if you can. Use the tips of your fingers, keeping your fingers straight.
  • Liquid soap or soap on a rope may be easier to use than a small bar of soap. Bar soap can be placed inside a bath mitt to prevent dropping it. 
  • Use pump-style bottles for shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion. 
  • Keep all your supplies near the tub or shower, so they are easy to reach.
  • Wear a terry cloth bathrobe to help your body dry after bathing or showering.
  • A raised toilet seat and grab bars around the toilet may help you get up and down from the toilet more easily.
  • Squeeze the toothpaste onto your brush by placing it over the edge of the sink and pushing on the tube with your arm or side of your palm.
  • Sit while brushing or combing your hair. You may find it easier to rest your elbows on a table or counter, so you don't have to raise your arms as much. 
  • Use grips around the handle of your toothbrush, hairbrush, or other items, so they are easier to hold.
  • Buy items that have larger handles, or add tape, foam, or tubing to handles to build up their size. 
  • Use a lightweight electric razor that you can hold in the palm of your hand. Add tape, foam, or tubing to the razor handle as needed to build up its size. 
  • Choose a deodorant that is easy to apply, such as solid, stick, or gel. If you use powder, use an easy to open twist top.  

Dressing tips

  • Wear loose fitting clothes. They are easier to put on and take off.
  • Dress the lower part of your body first since it takes more energy. Allow plenty of time for dressing. Rest as needed.
  • Choose clothing that opens in the front rather than a pullover or back opening style. Clothing that opens in front is easier to put on and take off.
  • Large buttons, Velcro, and zipper rings can make fastening clothing easier.
  • Use adaptive equipment, like long-handled reachers, sock aids, zipper aids, or dressing sticks to limit stress on your joints.
  • Shop online for adaptive clothing, such as pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, or shoes, that are easy to fasten.

© 2005 – March 23, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.