How to Cope when Your Arthritis Flares Up

Most days, arthritis seems fairly manageable but every now and then, especially when the weather changes, pain and inflammation can spike. This is known as a “flare-up”. Here are some tips to help you get it under control:

• Start cold. Applying a cold pack at the start of a flare-up can numb soreness and reduce swelling.
• Then heat up. After the first 24 hours of a flare up, switch to heat. A heating pad, warm water soak or heat-generating cream helps bring blood into sore areas, relaxing tight muscles.
• Try massage. Massage can help ease pain and muscle tension.
• Walk. Its probably the last thing you feel like doing, but walking (even at a slower-than-normal pace) gets your blood circulating, bringing oxygen and nutrients that can speed healing to your tissues.
• Stretch. If you have been to a physical therapist before, hopefully you have remembered to keep up on your home exercises especially stretching. If you need assistance or a copy of your exercise program, call your physical therapist.
• Hit the bottle. Over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen(advil, motrin) or naproxen(alleve), or an analgesic like acetaminophen (tylenol) can reduce pain. Check with your doctor first.
• Talk to your doctor. If your pain continues for more than a few days or if it’s severe, bring your doctor on board. He/she may give you a prescription strength anti-inflammatory, such as diclofenac (Voltaren), or may prescribe a short-term course of a corticosteroid, such as prednisone. Or, if you’re already taking a corticosteroid, he/she may temporarily increase your dosage.

Try these tips to keep your pain under control!