Tips for Getting Rid of RA Stiffness in the Morning
Morning stiffness is a classic sign of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it is also an indicator your disease is quite active. It makes it harder to move joints, especially upon waking after a night of several hours of sleep. Here we will talk about ways to manage RA stiffness in the morning.
How to Manage RA Morning Stiffness
Research finds that prolonged stiffness in the morning from RA can cause persistent and ongoing fatigue. The research also notes that getting morning stiffness under control improves the chance for RA remission (a period where disease activity is low or gone).
Getting your morning stiffness managed makes a difference throughout your entire day, but you cannot start your day if your mornings end up being tougher than they have to be.
The goods news is that there are some creative ways to manage RA morning stiffness to help you start your day on a positive note.
1. Use Heat Therapy in Bed
Invest in a heated mattress pad or electric blanket you can time to turn off after your bed warms up. Set your alarm to wake up early to turn the blanket or mattress cover back on for some heat therapy before starting your day.
You don’t need to purchase a specific heated mattress pad or an electric blanket, invest in one with a timer so you can schedule it to turn off after you have fallen asleep and it is not running all night.
2. Use a Joint Cream Before Bed
If you know you are going to wake up stiff and hurting, ask your doctor about an arthritis joint rub, such as diclofenac gel (Voltaren Gel), to use before going to bed. These products can reduce the amount of pain and stiffness you wake up with.
As a note of precaution, some prescription joint rubs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and too many NSAIDs aren’t good for you. It is therefore important to check with your doctor about taking oral NSAIDs with an NSAID gel.
3. Take Medications Upon Waking Up
Keep your medications on a table or nightstand next to your bed, along with a glass of water to take as soon as you wake up.
NSAIDs work quickly to help reduce pain and inflammation and taking an NSAID upon waking may help you start your day with less stiffness and soreness. If you need something stronger, ask for your doctor about a prescription NSAID.
4. Start Your Day with Movement
As soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed, move your stiff joints gently without stretching. Use gentle circular motions and extend the joints. To improve movement throughout your body, make sure you move all your joints.
Once you are comfortable in bed, lie on your back and start stretching. Start with your upper body moving your joints gently. Turn your head from side to side to loosen your neck and then start moving hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders one side at a time. Do the same with the joints of your lower body, including hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes.
Make sure your movements are slow and gentle. When joints feel less painful and stiff, you can get out of bed easier.
A physical therapist can help teach you helpful exercises and stretches. Talk to your doctor or rheumatologist about a referral.
5. Take a Warm Shower or Bath
A warm shower or bath is a great way to relieve RA morning stiffness. The warmth of the water will promote blood circulation and warm your joints.
Continue to gently move joints while showering or bathing. Stay long enough to warm your joints up and relieve some tension from your joints and muscles.
6. Take Your Time
Don’t push yourself to start the day. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning and pace yourself so you can get things done without making pain and stiffness worse.
If your morning stiffness lasts longer on some mornings, you may want to ask for special accommodations at work, such as a flexible schedule or the ability to work from home.
7. Work With an Occupational Therapist
Hands and fingers are most affected my RA morning stiffness. An occupational therapist can fit you for splints to keep your fingers in a resting position while sleeping and reduce morning stiffness in your hands and fingers.
The Takeaway
Morning stiffness is common in people living with RA but with proper planning you can manage and reduce symptoms. Moreover, you should work with your doctor to find the right RA treatment to manage the effects and symptoms of RA.