Orientation posture group to elderly with osteomuscular pain: making relations between theory and practice

Abstract

Among the growing population of elderly there is a high incidence of illness and chronic pain that reduce functional capacity of the elderly. The Occupational Therapist work with chronic pain patients looks for developing strategies to over come the pain, stimulation and adoption of the self-care practices. It was realized the description and analyze of group intervention with elderly with osteomuscular pain as the possible benefits in the development of self-care abilities. The group aids interviews, group's session, observation and demonstrations by elderly and coordinators about alternatives manners to do activities of daily life. We adopt two models: Self-Care and International Classification of Functionality, Incapacity and Health as theorical elements. In the rescue of the group's experience in the distinct steps, it was possible to relate theory and practice, especially with elements of the Models adopted. We verify that the information shared in the group made possible to the elderly to identify posture, movements and environment's factors generator of pain and also, over come or reduce pain during daily activities, although the participants show the difficulties on doing changes that last for long time. We recognize the group as a strategy to improve self-care abilities and functional capacity of elderly with osteomuscular pain, however it needs to be completed with other kinds of intervention