In addition to basic drug therapy, targeted occupational therapy or physiotherapy is used to support patients with rheumatic diseases in coping with everyday life and thus contribute to an improvement in quality of life. The aim of this therapy is to alleviate pain through movement or physical measures, which should lead to an improvement in mobility. While the focus is on maintaining joint function in the case of inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis are treated by stabilising the muscles around the worn joint. Many years of close cooperation with the University Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vienna General Hospital allow us to draw up a personalised treatment plan.
The most important therapeutic measures include
- Physiotherapy: serves to improve joint mobility, musculature and movement sequences and thus reduce pain.
- Occupational therapy: the aim is to maintain independence in everyday life by teaching joint-friendly behaviour, adapting the home and work environment and therapeutic exercises. Relief can also be achieved by customising splints.
- Heat and cold therapy: both heat therapy and cold therapy are intended to provide pain relief.
- Electrotherapy: serves to relieve pain and strengthen muscles by stimulating blood circulation and relaxing the muscles.
- Hydrotherapy: underwater therapy is used to maintain mobility with exercises that are gentle on the joints.