The specialist rheumatology occupational therapy help people to live well with their long-term rheumatology condition. We work closely with our patients and the wider team to understand how the condition impacts on their everyday living.
Through evidence based interventions, we help patients learn essential self-management techniques of the physical and psychological aspects of their condition to allow them to continue to fulfil meaningful activities and valued, independent life roles.
What is specialist rheumatology occupational therapy (OT)?
Occupational therapists are members of the rheumatology multi-disciplinary team that have specialist knowledge of rheumatological conditions, and the impact that the symptoms of these conditions have on everyday life. We accept referrals from age 16 onwards.
Occupational therapists provide physical and psychological interventions to empower you to live as well as you are able with your condition. We do this by working with you to develop different approaches, strategies and self- management techniques for everyday living.
The aim of the specialist rheumatology occupational therapist is to support you to fulfil your meaningful roles and responsibilities and to live well with your condition. This can enable you to experience a better quality of life, now and in the longer term.
Your occupational therapist can support you with;
Joint care
Advice about looking after your joints and adapting your activities to reduce the stress and strain put through the joints during daily activities. Provision of appropriate splints to support hand and wrist joints.
Activities of daily Living
Including personal, domestic, leisure and social activities.
Hand function
If appropriate you may be offered a tailored stretching and strengthening hand exercise programme to improve your hand strength and function.
Fatigue management
Providing individualised education and intervention to support you to live with the consequences of overwhelming fatigue and the impact on daily life.
Sleep
Providing advice on sleep hygiene, positioning, relaxation skills and meditation to aid sleep.
Driving
This may include a referral on to North East Drive Mobility located in Walkergate Park Hospital.
Work
Assessment of your work role and the impact your inflammatory disease can have; such as keeping up with deadlines, concentrating on work tasks, finishing tasks in good time, expectations of yourself and others when in flare, knowing when to seek help and advice, how to remain well in work, balancing work and home life and liaising with your employers if required.
Sex and intimacy
Advice, education and information on the impact that your inflammatory condition can have on your ability to have a fulfilled sex life. Difficulties can be physical, emotional, psychological or a combination of all three.
Psychological adjustment to your diagnosis
This is an important aspect of being newly diagnosed with a long term condition. Having the time and space to reflect on and discuss with OT can be really valuable with regards to learning to adapt to the challenges your diagnosis may bring.
Stress management
Persistent stressors in life can have a negative impact on the immune system and can contribute to a flare of inflammatory disease. It is therefore essential to learn techniques to manage stress effectively.
Flare management
Advice about managing your daily activities when in flare. If appropriate providing equipment to promote independence with daily activities.
Onward referrals to other health professionals such as podiatry, physiotherapy and health psychology.
Signposting to relevant services that can also offer support and guidance to you such as:
- Versus Arthritis
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRA)
- National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS)
- Sjogren’s Society
- The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.
- Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (TIMS)
- Access to Work and Disability North.
Access to specialist occupational therapy
We accept referrals from the consultant’s general caseload as well as the five main sub-speciality clinics which include:
- The early arthritis clinic (EAC)
- Adolescent and young adult (AYA) clinic
- Axial spondylarthritis (AS) clinic
- Sjogren’s clinic
- Connective tissue disease (CTD) clinic.
Referrals come directly from all members of the rheumatology multi-disciplinary team (MDT) which includes consultants, specialist nurses, podiatry, physiotherapy and health psychology.
Once you have been initially assessed by OT you have the option of periodic review via the MDT or self-referral throughout your life course.
Useful Websites
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website.
