When arthritis flares up, even the simplest daily tasks can feel overwhelming. But according to Board-Certified Hand Therapist Carl Petitto, there are powerful tools and techniques that can make a world of difference for people dealing with chronic joint pain.
In this episode of The Hand to Shoulder Solution: Giving Pain the Middle Finger, Carl walks you through his most trusted solutions — straight from the clinic — for managing arthritis pain at home.
🔴 Red Light Therapy for Inflammation Relief
Carl kicks things off with one of the most asked-about tools: red light therapy. He explains how using a red light mitt or a panel can:
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase blood flow
- Help joints feel looser, especially first thing in the morning
He recommends using it 2–3 times daily for 10–15 minutes, prioritizing mornings. However, if your joints feel more irritated after, he suggests shortening the duration.
“Always pay attention to the after-effects — if your joints feel worse, use it less often or for shorter periods.”
🤖 Arthritis-Friendly Jar Opener
Next up is a motorized jar opener — a game changer for anyone with weak grip strength. With just the press of a button, it grips both the lid and the jar and twists them apart with zero hand effort.
“There’s no twisting, no straining. The machine does all the work.”
🧤 Vibration-Absorbing Gloves & Tools
Carl explains that vibration is one of arthritis’ worst enemies. That’s why he recommends:
- Fingerless gloves with gel padding to reduce wrist vibration while using tools or driving
- Vibration-absorbing hammers for tradespeople like framers and carpenters
- Relaxed grip on steering wheels during long road trips to avoid micro-vibrations affecting the joints
🌿 Castor Oil for Topical Relief
One of Carl’s favorite natural solutions? Castor oil. He recommends applying a thin layer over painful joints — especially thumbs or big knuckles — then wrapping the hand with a towel and relaxing for about 90 minutes.
“Don’t rub it in — just coat it and let it sit. Rubbing increases inflammation.”
🎗️ Kinesio Tape Support
For joint stabilization and pain relief, Carl demonstrates how to use kinesio tape (also called “chinesio tape”) — the same kind seen on Olympic athletes — to give the fingers and thumbs added support.
He explains how to:
- Apply the tape at 50% stretch
- Wrap around painful knuckles or thumb joints
- Use it during daily chores or gardening to reduce pressure on inflamed joints
“It gives the joint stability, like an exoskeleton… and guess what? It decreases the pain.”
👋 Thumb Joint Support for Osteoarthritis
Carl also shares a helpful trick for one of the most commonly affected areas — the base of the thumb. He explains how to create a supportive sling with kinesio tape around the trapezium joint to alleviate stress and reduce discomfort during daily use.
He also hints that a full episode is coming soon to walk you through the best OTC splints for thumb arthritis — so stay tuned.
⚠️ Reminder
While these tools and techniques are helpful, Carl reminds viewers:
“This is not medical advice. These are just basic tips and tricks. Always follow up with your doctor and your hand therapist.”
📺 Watch the Full Video:
👉 Joint Pain: THE BEST Tools, Techniques, and Solutions for Arthritis Pain Management and Relief
In this full episode, Carl gives hands-on demos of all the tools he mentions — from red light devices to gloves and tape. Don’t miss it if you or a loved one are managing arthritis symptoms.
📌 Want Help with Your Pain?
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