Some of the best tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis pain include avoiding unnecessary strain on the joints, resting as much as possible, keeping the joint active, and selecting stronger joints for more difficult tasks. A muscle strengthening routine can help to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, as long as it is performed at a pain free level. Eating a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids can also help to reduce inflammation and pain.
A consequence of rheumatoid arthritis is that the joints are not able to cope with large forces. Rheumatoid arthritis pain, for this reason, is often caused when a person continues to use his or her joints in the same way as healthy joints. Any excess stress on the joints that causes pain will make the condition worse. Managing rheumatoid arthritis pain is mainly about ensuring that the joints aren’t put under more stress than they can manage.
Rest is an important, yet often overlooked, part of managing rheumatoid arthritis pain. The body performs a lot of healing while at rest, including reducing inflammation. For this reason, getting too little sleep can make the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis worse. A minimum of eight hours sleep is a good guideline.
Even though it’s important to protect the joints from unnecessary stress, it’s also necessary to keep the joints active. As a general rule, a joint should be moved through its range of motion once a day. The limit to a joint’s range of motion, in this case, is the point where the movement becomes painful. Any painful movements should be avoided, as these can make the condition worse.
In general, larger joints have more strength and can cope with greater force. Small joints, such as those found in the fingers, are much more likely to become damaged or inflamed. To avoid rheumatoid arthritis pain, a person with the condition should avoid using the smaller joints as much as possible. Tasks with small objects often require the fingers, but if the elbow or shoulder joint can be used instead, this will help to reduce the level of pain.
Strength training is important for rheumatoid arthritis pain, as it can reduce the pressure and strain on the joints. A physical therapist should always be consulted before a strength training routine begins because inappropriate exercises can cause more pain. Staying fit through aerobic exercise can also help to reduce pain.
Diet is important for managing rheumatoid arthritis pain. Omega 3, for example, has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with pain. It can be difficult to consume the required amount of Omega 3 through diet alone, so fish oil supplements are often used. Omega 6, on the other hand, should be avoided as this can cause more inflammation.