I’m often asked which products I use to help ease my own arthritis pain, or to prevent future joint damage during daily activities. In the past, I’ve recommended many products in my free blog posts, videos, webinars and interviews, including my free “Day in the Life Master Class: Arthritis Life Hack Extravaganza” 2024! Click the link to the left to access the full free training.
After sharing my product recommendations for years without gaining anything financially in return, I joined the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. I also became an affiliate for a handful of brands that I personally use and can attest to.
Please know that I am committed to only recommending products I have personally tried and find helpful, or occasionally ones that trusted individuals (like fellow occupational therapists or experienced patients) have found successful. Let me know if you have any questions or requests for me to review / try out an additional product!
A little more about the Amazon Associates program: This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for Arthritis Life to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Basically, if you make a purchase from one of these links below, Arthritis Life will get a proportion of that purchase to support our educational programs and general operating expenses.
KITCHEN ITEMS to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Strain
Here are some of the items I use most frequently in the kitchen, which relieve stress and strain on my sore finger joints!
I use this almost every day – it works on large items AND super small ones, like nail polish bottles!
Jar Opener – Effortless Opener for Any Size Bottle or Jar –Mounts Under Cabinet with Industrial Adhesive – Zero Slip Blade Protector – Must Have for Seniors & Arthritis – Made In USA
COMPRESSION GLOVES, SOCKS & SPLINTS to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Swelling
Compression gloves can help reduce swelling, reduce pain perception and provide comforting warmth to the hands. Splints can provide external stability to protect joints.
If you are having a lot of hand pain from inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis, don’t forget that you can get *personalized* and skilled recommendations from an occupational therapist, physical therapist or “Certified Hand Therapist” (OT or PT with additional training and expertise in the hand). You may need a referral from your doctor depending on your geographic area.
These are the gloves and splints I’ve tried and like, but I also have a customized Thermoplastic splint fabricated for me by a skilled Certified Hand Therapist in their clinic!
I also love my Grace & Able gloves (these are the purple ones I wear quite often) – you can learn more about them here. They are a small, woman owned business. I used to have an affiliate account but I closed it down to avoid a real or perceived conflict of interest as I am also friends with the founder, Sarah Dillingham, in “real life!”
HOT, COLD & PAIN RELIEF to Reduce Arthritis Pain
Battery Heated Gloves – I recommend sizing up on these!
Getting Dressed: Clothing and Jewelry Aids for Arthritis
Such a neat innovation, makes it much easier to put bracelets on – I don’t wear bracelets often but just had to share!
I haven’t found a perfect solution for rings, to accommodate for swelling. I think the easiest thing is to buy a ring that’s a little bigger than you need, and use a size adjuster like this one to help size it down for when you’re not swollen.
Additionally, I love my Liberare adaptive front closure bra, which has easy on and off magnetic closures.
I also love my Elba London bra, which features magnetic closures in the front, which I find much easier to use than traditional styles of bras!
Self Care: Toileting, Bathing & Medication Pill Organizers to make Life Easier with Arthritis
I use this in the shower because I don’t have full range of motion in my right shoulder. It helps to scrub your hair and back. Full disclosure – my friend Lindsay, also an occupational therapist, created it!
I really like the smaller “scalp massager” brush as it protects sore finger joints and allows me to use my big muscles / joints rather than putting strain on my fingers!
This toilet wiping aid for arthritis is handy especially if you have back pain or trouble twisting in your torso, and can also help prevent shoulder pain.
LUXE bidet – is a workaround for pain when wiping – reduces the amount of wiping needed.
Self Care: Hair, Eyes, Teeth, Nails & Grooming
The droppy is super helpful for eye drop bottles *and* it comes with an attachment that assists with putting in the small preservative free vials, which is super helpful! Here’s the link:
I love this hands free stand, saves my neck and shoulders a lot of pain and strain!
HLGOLDLUO Hair Dryer Stand, 360 Degree Rotating Lazy Hair Dryer Stand Hand Free With Heavy Base, Hands-Free Blow Dryer Holder Countertop, Adjustable Height Hair Dryer Holder
This straightener has an comfortable wide grip, is very lightweight and is much easier on my thumb arthritis pain than a flat iron!
This floss helper is much easier to use than having to wrap floss around my sore fingers!
Office, Writing and Technology: Ergonomic Desk, Mouse, Keyboard, Pencil Grips & More to Reduce Arthritis Pain
I LOVE this split keyboard, it keeps my wrists in a more neutral position rather than squished together as in a traditional keyboard.
KINESIS Freestyle2 Ergonomic Keyboard for PC (9″ or 20″ Separation) (9″ Separation)
I find it super helpful to use a phone tripod for when I’m just scrolling on the phone, so my hands don’t get sore from holding the phone. here’s the one I have and like:
I have tailbone pain from a history of a pilonidal cyst, so I find this coccyx cushion very helpful for my computer desk and my car.
AROUND THE HOUSE: Scissors, Multi-purpose Items, Pillow & Miscellaneous Items to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Strain
Car & Key Items
3 Piece Gas Cap Tool Set, Black, 8″ – Adaptive tool for opening gas cap for your car
Pack of foam to make “built up handles” to more easily grip items around the house – super versatile!
[6 Pack] Foam Grip Tubing/Foam Tubing – 3 Sizes – Ideal Grip Aid for Utensils, Tools and More – No BPA/Phthalate/Latex
Exercise, Gardening & Hobbies: Tools and Products to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Strain
I love this super light, collapsible exercise bike – it fits into small spaces!
EZ Kut arthritis friendly clippers – despite being arthritis friendly, these can be a little finicky but overall I do find them easier to use than traditional pruners.
Bionic arthritis friendly gardening gloves
Bionic Women’s ReliefGrip Gardening Premium Leather Gloves (Medium). Please note that these run very small, I’m normally a small but ordered medium.
The exact set I have isn’t available anymore but this one is close!
Taking Care of Children & Pets: Tools and Products to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Strain
This was a godsend when Charlie was younger – it significantly reduces the force required to unbuckle a child’s car seat!
This is a great option for scooping cat litter without having to bend too far forward at the knees or hips!
Books I Love: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
I recommend this book more than ANY other resource. It is “a guide to ACT: the mindfulness-based program for reducing stress and anxiety, overcoming depression, developing self-compassion, and creating a rich and meaningful life.” It truly helped me cope and thrive with arthritis more than ANY single other resource other than therapy (it was suggested by my therapist!).
The Happiness Trap (Second Edition): How to Stop Struggling and Start Living Paperback
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
According to the descirption: “Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a new, scientifically based psychotherapy that takes a fresh look at why we suffer and even what it means to be mentally healthy. What if pain were a normal, unavoidable part of the human condition, but avoiding or trying to control painful experience were the cause of suffering and long-term problems that can devastate your quality of life? The ACT process hinges on this distinction between pain and suffering. As you work through this book, you’ll learn to let go of your struggle against pain, assess your values, and then commit to acting in ways that further those values.”
Books I love: Memoirs from People with Chronic Illness, Self-Help and/or Advice for Difficult Situations
Books I love: Techniques for Managing Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain and/or Arthritis
Full disclosure: I contributed a section about kitchen life hacks for arthritis, however I have no monetary compensation from it and don’t earn commission from the book sales. This book is well researched and a fabulous, practical resource for people looking to implement dietary changes to improve their arthritis symptoms!
Book: Eat Well with Arthritis: Over 85 delicious recipes from Arthritis Foodie
