Articles
Rheumatoid arthritis pain: Tips for protecting your joints
Content
Respect your pain
Choose the strongest joint for the job
Use good body mechanics
Keep moving
Plan ahead
Reduce excess body weight
Keep moving
Don't give your joints the chance to become stiff — keep them moving. Try these tips:
- When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels tired.
- If you work at a computer, do hand and thumb stretches for 10 seconds every hour, to relieve those joints.
- On long car trips, take breaks every hour or two so you can get out and stretch.
- On airplanes choose aisle seats, so you can shift your legs more easily.
- When doing repetitive tasks, change your body position every 20 to 40 minutes.