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Arthritis

By Brie Weisman, OTR/L with Maine LogAbility

It’s early morning. A cold, damp feel is in the air. You’re dressed for the elements, but a day of work awaits, maybe you’re operating the Skidder, or loading the logging truck, or are fortunate to be in the heated cab of the Forwarder. You already notice the stiffness in your hands, the bit of redness and swelling. You have difficulty making a fist.

These are most likely symptoms of arthritis. The CDC says that about one in four adults and fully half of all people over 65 suffer from arthritis. According to the logging industry of Maine, the average age for loggers is 50.

Like machinery, our joints need lubrication and cushioning. We often begin to lose this as we age, and working our own unprotected joints can be just as problematic as operating ungreased machinery. Arthritis causes pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion. Osteoarthritis is the most common form typically affecting hands, hips, knees, feet and lower back and is the most treatable.

Risk factors for arthritis include:

∙ Family history

∙ Age

∙ Previous joint injury

∙ Obesity

There is no cure for arthritis; fortunately, there are natural, non-invasive methods that may greatly reduce symptoms:

∙ Relaxation therapies–mindful breathing, yoga, meditation, listening to music, guided imagery, simply getting out in nature–are all proven techniques for reducing pain.

∙ Acupuncture. This 3000 year old practice has found validation for arthritis treatment from so many studies that insurance companies cover it.

∙ Heat and cold. Applying heating pads to aching joints, taking hot baths or showers, or immersing painful joints in warm paraffin wax, can offer temporary relief of pain. Use heating pads for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Applying ice/cold packs to sore muscles can relieve pain and inflammation after strenuous work or exercise.

∙ Massage can offer relief from pain and stiffness. Make sure your massage therapist or masseuse knows where your arthritis affects you.

∙ Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been recognized as the most widely used psychotherapeutic treatment for adults with chronic pain. CBT employs talk therapy and behavior modification to help identify and break cycles of harmful or self-limiting thoughts and actions.

These conservative treatments are often enough for effective management of arthritis. For more severe cases, your physician may recommend medications and more invasive treatments:

∙ Therapeutic injections: cortisone shots may help temporarily relieve pain and inflammation.

∙ Fusion: A procedure that permanently fused two or more bones. This reduces pain greatly at the loss of the joint’s mobility.

∙ Joint replacement: Damaged, arthritic joints can be replaced with artificial joints, increasing joint function and movement while reducing or eliminating pain. While you are in the woods, you can make simple changes to your routine to lessen joint pain through adaptive techniques and through the use of adaptive equipment. To learn more about implementing these changes contact Maine AgrAbility program.

Traditional loggers (less mechanized operations) do have one advantage in staving off arthritis: an active lifestyle is the best way to maintain a healthy body. “Move it or lose it” applies to joint mobility and comfort. An active job is not an excuse not to exercise. In fact, increased exercise, especially core and resistive strength training would benefit loggers to reduce risk of injury and increase productivity and quality of life. Working in a cab in the woods is like being a home office worker.You're working remotely,sitting for 7-10 hours, controlling the joysticks, mouse, and keypad. However, long periods of time in Feller Bunchers, Forwarders, Cranes and Skidders, with repetitive motions, and cold or damp weather can all lead to or exacerbate arthritis. As with so many things, addressing the earliest signs of arthritis and sticking with a treatment will likely give the best results and head off greater suffering and hardship. And, as many of these treatments have other benefits beyond treating arthritis and are free or inexpensive, it is hard to argue against giving them a try.

For More Information, visit Maine LogAbility, part of the Maine AgrAbility program: https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/