Occupational therapy strategies for managing menopausal arthralgia: Promoting occupational participation and quality of life (November 10, 2026)

Presented by: Amy Vissing, MHS, OTR/L, CHT 

Menopausal arthralgia affects a significant proportion of individuals experiencing the menopausal transition, often presenting as diffuse joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and reduced tolerance for daily activities. These symptoms can disrupt work, self-care, leisure engagement, and overall well-being. Occupational therapy offers a unique and holistic approach to managing menopausal arthralgia by addressing pain, activity modification, self-management, ergonomics, and lifestyle factors that influence occupational performance and participation.

This webinar will increase your knowledge of musculoskeletal symptoms related to menopause and the occupational therapy role. You will learn about evidence-informed occupational therapy interventions for menopausal arthralgia, including joint protection, pacing, strengthening, sleep and stress management, environmental adaptations, and literacy-based patient education. You will gain knowledge and skills to support your clients in sustaining meaningful roles, routines, and occupations during the menopausal transition.

You'll learn to:

1. Describe the prevalence, symptom patterns, and functional impact of menopausal arthralgia on occupational performance and participation.
2. Identify evidence-supported occupational therapy interventions that address pain, fatigue, joint stiffness, and activity limitations associated with menopausal arthralgia.
3. Apply occupation-based strategies such as pacing, joint protection, ergonomic modification, and therapeutic exercise to promote occupational participation.
4. Integrate lifestyle and self-management approaches, including sleep hygiene, stress reduction, and physical activity, into occupational therapy plans.

Target audience and language

Areas of practice

Ergonomics, Hand therapy, Health promotion & wellness, Musculoskeletal/Orthopedics, Primary care

Client age group

Adults (20-64 years old)

Level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area) 

Language

English

Presenter

Amy Vissing, MHS, OTR/L, CHT

Amy Vissing is a certified hand therapist with 26 years of experience in upper extremity rehabilitation. A Queen’s University graduate, she began her career at the William Osler Health Centre before advancing to roles in complex trauma, burns, and outpatient hand therapy at academic medical centers. Since 2016, she has served as a lead therapist for Penn Medicine's hand transplant rehabilitation program and OT fieldwork coordinator. Amy has co-authored a book chapter in the 3rd edition of Orthotic Intervention for the Hand & Upper Extremity and presented at national and international hand conferences in Hong Kong and USA. She is currently pursuing her OTD.