Things to do that Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

Change Your Lifestyle

• Avoid all impact-loading activities such as jumping, running, etc.
• Reduce any climbing activities such as stairs, climbs, etc.
• Avoid all activity that causes you any prolonged discomfort.
• Practice good posture by standing up straight, and pushing your head back.
• Avoid sitting in low chairs, or those that push your head forward, this will help to reduce stress on your body when sitting down.

Cold and Hold Treatments

Cold or heat treatments can be used to decrease the pain and increase muscle flexibility when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Cold or heat treatments can be combined with any of the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist.

• It decreases blood flow
• It may help decrease swelling
• Use before any activity
• It will help increases blood flow
• Will help relax your muscles

You can purchase a gel packs that can be kept either cold in your freezer or heated in a normal microwave.

How do I Remain Consistent When Doing Exercise?

• Stay in the habit of doing exercises every day.
• Vary your exercise routine so you do not get bored, and rotate your exercises.
• Make a plan. What time will you do them? How Often? Write it down.
• Exercise at the same time each day if possible so it becomes a habit.

Help Control Pain with Pharmacy Medications

Simple tasks may be hard to do when your joints hurt. Some self-help devices shown below may aid minimize pain, stress, discomfort and may help you in accomplishing some of your daily tasks.

• Stomach supports to lessen stress on your back
• Canes, Crutches or Walkers reduce stress across the joints, but do not use these if you have any arthritis in your arms, it may cause impact damage
• Orthotics to help you improve foot alignment
• Wrist and Hand Splints
• Large grips for pens, or use those made of rubber, garden tools and any other hand-held objects.

Weight Control and Diet

• Eat at set times, do not nibble all day
• Avoid red meat and processed meat
• Eat fish high in Omega-3 such as Mackerel
• If you are overweight, you will make your rheumatoid arthritis worse

Use Medication

A large part of the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is medication. Many medications and drugs are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, and they fall into a number of classes and categories.

• Other drugs include treatments used for gout, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis
• COX-2 Inhibitors
• NSAIDs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• Pain medications referred to as Analgesics
• BRMs which are Biologic Response Modifiers
• Topical medications such as cream, balms, gels, ointments, lotions
• DMARDs which are Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
• Corticosteroids. Beware long term use will cause other problems such as Osteoporosis

Arthritis can range from an annoyance to chronic. If you require further advice please visit our Pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis Forum