Self Care

If you are being treated for arthritis, learn as much as you can about what type of arthritis you have and how the disease affects you. Don't believe everything you hear when it comes to "miracle treatments" or "cures" for arthritis. If an advertised remedy sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check with your doctor before spending your money or potentially risking your health.

To take care of yourself, follow your doctor's recommendations and:

• Exercise according to your doctor's instructions. This will help you to feel better, to extend your movement and to increase your strength.
• If you're overweight, speak with your doctor about weight loss; this can help take some of the stress off your joints.
• Talk to your doctor about reducing joint pain. Your doctor cannot make the pain go away completely but can help you with ways to reduce joint pain. Ask for help with pain management if you feel your current treatment is not adequately addressing your pain.
• Reduce pain by using relaxation techniques when you are stressed.

Other ways to take care of yourself:

Use heat and cold

One way to get short-term pain relief is to apply heat or cold to the aching joint. The decision to use either heat or cold for arthritis pain depends on what's causing your pain and how well you respond to each method. You should discuss this with your doctor or physical therapist before deciding whether this will work for you. Applying heat relaxes muscles and helps relieve aches due in part to muscle tension. It also stimulates blood circulation, which helps irritated tissues heal. In contrast, application of something cold to a joint numbs the area and thus reduces pain. If you have poor circulation, diabetes, nerve disease or Raynaud's syndrome, don't use cold for arthritis pain.

Prevent pain by protecting your joints

Joint protection strategies can help you minimize or avoid pain caused by overusing a joint. When a joint is more painful than usual, take that as a signal you have overdone it. Next time you're in the same situation, look for another way to get your task done or ask for help. Stand or sit up straight to keep your joints in optimal positions. To avoid stiffness, don't stay in one position too long before getting up and gently stretching. Use your stronger and larger joints for weight-bearing tasks. If you have to carry an object, use your forearm rather than putting all the weight on your fingertips. Cut back on prolonged activities that you know are going to put too much stress on your joints, or take more frequent rests.

Try using assistive devices

There are many devices that can make ordinary tasks easier and help you avoid putting stress on your joints. These devices can be purchased at medical or home-health supply stores, or in some cases made at home. Ask your doctor or physical therapist for more information about what types of assistive devices are available or how to obtain them. There are also changes you can make around the home, such as replacing hard-to-turn knobs on faucets and doors with levers.

More on Arthritis

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.