If you're living with rheumatoid arthritis, you probably try to avoid anything that might cause a flare. Flares -- those periods of intense pain and inflammation -- can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Dealing with them can require rest and medication. Although flares are linked to stress and infections, it's not always clear what causes a flare to occur.
The Facts
Unless you have seriously overworked your joints, it's extremely unlikely that exercise could cause your rheumatoid arthritis to flare. Exercise does not cause flares; it can actually help reduce your pain during them as long as you take it easy and don't push your body too hard. Spending an entire flare in bed can exacerbate your pain and make it last longer, so modify your regular fitness regimen to be gentle on your joints and continue to work out during your flare.
The Misconception
The relationship between exercise and arthritis isn't always clear to patients, and it can be easy to assume that exercising contributes to flares if your rheumatologist encourages you to avoid your regular workout during a flare, says Susan Bartlett, Ph.D., at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. If you believe your exercise routine is causing your rheumatoid arthritis to flare, talk with your rheumatologist about your concerns.
Exercise Tips
Before you start an exercise regimen, you should talk to your doctor about any cautions or modifications you might need to accommodate your rheumatoid arthritis. In general, a good exercise program for arthritis includes a mix of cardiovascular exercise, light strength training and range-of-motion exercises. If you haven't exercised much, a water exercise class for people with arthritis can be a joint-gentle way to get started.
Warning
Never push your body until you're in pain, whether you're having a flare or not. If you have pain in one joint, skip any exercise moves that tax that particular joint during your workout. And take post-exercise pain seriously -- if you feel more than mild muscle soreness after your workout, it's probably a sign you need to scale back.
