Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the more common forms of the over 100 forms of arthritis. It is a chronic and progressive illness that can be quite challenging to live with. It is an autoimmune disease which means the body mistakes itself for a foreign invader and attacks itself. While many people associate rheumatoid arthritis with a deformity in the hands or feet, in reality it is a systemic condition that can affect many areas of the body. However there are several techniques you can use to help manage the symptoms of this condition.
Step 1
Take your medications. The Arthritis Foundation states that "The proper medication regimen is important in controlling your RA. You must help your doctor determine the best combination for you." Since each person is affected by rheumatoid arthritis differently, it may take a trial and error approach to find the right fit. Many medications used in the treatment of arthritis can have serious side effects, so you will need to balance symptom management with controlling side effects. You may need a combination of medications to control your inflammation, pain and immune system activity and to slow down joint destruction. The Arthritis Foundation website has information on the many medications that can be used.
Step 2
Use heat and ice therapy. If you are having a painful day or feeling stiff, applying heat may help to relax your muscles. Heat therapy can also be used in the form of a paraffin bath. If you are having an inflammatory flare up then ice is a better option. The cold will help to constrict the blood vessels and reduce pain and swelling. The Arthritis Foundation states that you can use hot and cold therapy throughout the day, but after applying it, wait for the skin to return to a normal temperature before using another application. Check your skin for discoloration such as purplish-red skin or hives, dark red or spotty red and white spots or blisters, all of which can indicate that the application was too cold, too hot or applied for too long.
Step 3
Exercise to tolerance. The National Institutes on Aging state that exercise is an important part of coping with your rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise can help you to relieve muscle pain and stiffness, keep your muscles strong in order to take pressure off the joints and help you lose excess weight which may be stressing your joints. With rheumatoid arthritis you want to refrain from exercise when you are in an active flare up. The right form of Yoga and Tai Chi can be gentle and may be a good place to start. If land exercise is too painful, try working out in warm water to help take pressure off the joints and relax your muscles. The Arthritis Foundation sponsors land and water based programs. For water based classes they recommend that you exercise in water that is heated to approximately eighty five degrees for the best results.
Step 4
Get support. The American College of Rheumatology states that "The diagnosis of a chronic illness is a life-changing event that can cause anxiety and occasional feelings of isolation or depression." For this reason it is important to talk to your health care team about your feelings so they can connect you with services that can help. The Arthritis Foundation offers self help programs and support groups where you can talk with others who are also living with RA. To help your friends and family help you, be clear with them as to what your needs are and exactly how they can help.
Step 5
Combine alternative therapies with Western medicine techniques. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that you should talk with your doctor about any type of alternative therapy you may want to try. Certain herbal and "natural" remedies may negatively interact with your arthritis medications. They also state that some patients find relief through acupuncture and massage. In addition learning relaxation and/or meditation techniques can help to relax tight muscles and reduce pain. Visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website below for detailed information on the therapies that have been studied.
Step 6
Take care of your joints. The Mayo Clinic website outlines steps you can take to minimize your joint pain. This includes learning how to move your body in a way that does not exacerbate your symptoms, by paying attention to how your body responds to your daily activities. Working with a physical or occupational therapist can help you learn how to move without placing too much stress on your joints. A therapist can also teach you how to use a brace or splint to ease symptoms.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember that rheumatoid arthritis affects each person differently. That means there is not only one approach or modality that works for everyone. You will need a period of experimentation to find what works best for you.
- Be careful with exercise and always listen to your body to know what is right. Stop any program that makes your symptoms worse. Communicate with your doctor or pharmacist about any herbal, homeopathic or other supplements you take to make sure there will not be any negative interactions.
