Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Articles

Rheumatoid arthritis pain: Tips for protecting your joints

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.