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  |  General Health  |  Bones and Joints  |  All about rheumatoid arthritis
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All about rheumatoid arthritis

continued from page 6
Exercise and rest are both important to your health. When your RA is active, you will want more rest, but remember that exercise is critical to healthy muscles, joint mobility and flexibility. Exercise may seem unappealing if you're experiencing frequent pain, but there are a number of techniques to help you get through a programme, usually under the guidance of a physiotherapist. These include:
  • Moist heat supplied by warm towels, hot packs, a bath or a shower can be used at home for 15-20 minutes three times a day to relieve symptoms. Applying heat before exercise can be a good way to start. A physiotherapist can apply deep heat using short waves, microwaves and ultrasound to relieve non-inflamed joints.

  • Cold supplied by a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a towel helps to stop pain and reduce swelling when used for 10-15 minutes at a time. It is often used for acutely inflamed joints.

  • Hydrotherapy (water therapy) can decrease pain and stiffness. Exercising in a large pool may be easier because water takes some weight off painful joints. Most hospital physiotherapy departments will have a specialist hydrotherapy pool. Some patients also find relief from the heat and movement provided by a jacuzzi.

  • Mobilisation therapies include traction (gentle, steady pulling), massage and manipulation (using the hands to restore normal movement to stiff joints). When done by a trained physiotherapist, these methods can help control pain and increase joint motion and muscle/tendon flexibility.

  • TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) may also provide some pain relief. Patients can wear a TENS device during the day and turn them on and off as needed for pain control.

  • Relaxation therapy also helps to reduce pain. You can learn to release the tension in muscles to relieve pain, and physiotherapists can teach relaxation techniques.

  • Glucosamine is being hailed as the latest alternative supplement. It is a naturally occurring form of glucose that keeps joints healthy and has none of the side-effects of conventional DMARDs.

  • Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of pain relief. A medically qualified acupuncturist places needles in certain sites on the body. Researchers believe that the needles stimulate deep sensory nerves that tell the brain to release natural painkillers (endorphins). Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but pressure is applied to the acupuncture sites instead of using needles.


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This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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