Self-care Strategies

Strategies to Control the Symptoms of the Disease

Exercise can help reduce pain, maintain or improve range of motion and strength, and decrease need for pain medication and physician visits. There are many types of exercise:

• Water Exercises
  • Water exercise or swimming do not put unnecessary strain on joints. Water Works is a water-based exercise program developed by The Arthritis Society to help people with arthritis
• Land Exercises - Strength training, cardio-vascular exercises, and range of motion exercises
  • Strengthening exercises improve muscle strength and tone, which may help to stabilize and protect joints and reduce pain. Joint Works is a land-based exercise program developed by The Arthritis Society to help people with arthritis
  • Cardio-vascular exercises help strengthen the heart and blood circulation system
  • Range of motion exercise help maintain or restore normal joint movement and relieve stiffness
  • Low impact exercises such as walking do not put unnecessary strain on joints

Education for Self-Management can reduce pain and improve overall quality of life

• Arthritis Self-Management Program
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Social Support from peers and professionals can help you to improve your functional and emotional status. You can learn strategies or find out resources to help you manage your chronic condition. Here are links to support groups and social work:

• Community Support Groups
• Specific-Disease Groups
• Social Work & Counselling

Assistive devices and walking aids can make it easier to carry out activities of daily living, such as;

• Walking Canes
• Grab bars
• Raised toilet seats
• Walkers
• Orthotics

Joint protection and energy conservation can minimize pain and improve joint function

• Splints
• Braces
• Avoiding stairs when you have problems with your lower limbs
• Taking short rest periods
• Pacing activities
• Carrying heavy items closer to your body
• Use assistive devices (as listed above)

Heat or cold applications may help with pain

• Apply cold to reduce inflammation and swelling. Cold therapy reduces pain by numbing nerves, slowing the inflammatory process, and shrinking blood vessels around the affected joint. When blood vessels are swollen, they leak fluid into the joints, which causes joints to swell and become stiff
• Apply warm compress to boost blood flow to the affected area, decrease pain and stiffness, and increase flexibility. Heat promotes blood circulation, which nourishes and detoxifies muscle fibers. Therefore, heat should not be applied to an inflamed joint. Choose moist heat, since it penetrates deeper than dry heat when needed

Acupunture may inflammation, pain and muscle stiffness

Medications or Pharmacologic Therapy

• You should speak to your doctor and pharmacist about the common and serious side effects of any prescribed medications and what to do when you experience side effects. You should also inform your doctor and pharmacist of other medications (prescribed or not prescribed) that you are taking and discuss any relevant conditions in your personal and family history to avoid drug interactions
• Types of medications used to treat arthritis:
  • Analgesics (medications for pain)
  • Creams and gels
  • Codeine preparations (pain medications with codeine)
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
  • DMARDS (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)
  • Corticosteriods
  • Biologics
  • Learn more about arthritis medications, you can download a copy of the Consumers Guide to Arthritis Medications

General Tips to Manage Your Arthritis

After getting medical attention for a flare-up, you should focus on things you can do to manage your arthritis such as:

Learn more General Tips for Managing Arthritis

Learn more Specific Tips for Managing OA
To know more about OA, here are some Frequently Asked Questions - OA
To know some of the Myths and Facts about OA

Learn more Specific Tips for Managing RA
To know more about RA, here are some Frequently Asked Questions - RA
To know some of the Myths and Facts about RA

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