What to do in/after a Flare?
Managing rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups can be challenging, but knowing how to adjust your activity, rest effectively, and care for your body can help you recover and stay mobile.
Understanding a Flare-Up
Flares are periods when RA symptoms worsen, often with increased joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and swelling.
These episodes can make moving and becoming more physically active very challenging, but gentle movement can still play a supportive role in managing symptoms.
Modify, Don’t Stop: Staying Active with Adjustments
While rest is important during a flare, complete inactivity can worsen stiffness and reduce joint mobility. Modify your usual routine by lowering intensity, duration, or types of movement you perform. Focus on gentle movements and avoid overdoing it.
Gentle Range-of-Motion Exercises
Perform slow, gentle movements to keep joints flexible without placing stress on them. Examples include wrist circles, shoulder rolls, or ankle pumps.
These can help reduce stiffness and maintain mobility without causing additional irritation.
Make Rest and Recovery a Priority
Short-term rest is essential to allow inflammation to decrease. Use this time to sleep well, reduce stress, and allow your body to heal.
Alternate rest with light movement to help avoid becoming weaker or losing range of motion as able.
Pain Management Strategies for Activity
Use cold after activity to reduce swelling. Pain-relief techniques like topical creams, braces, or prescribed medications can support gentle activity during flares.
Stay in Touch with Your Care Team
If you have flares that make it hard to move or last longer than normal, tell your rheumatologist or physiotherapist.
They can help you find ways to move safely and stay active. Your rheumatologist can also check if you need any changes to your medications and give you helpful advice
Return to Regular Activity Gradually
After a flare, slowly return to your previous activity level. Avoid jumping back in too quickly—slowly build up to the movements you were doing before your flare by gradually increasing how often, how hard, and how long you move.
Talk with a health care professional if you are having a hard time reaching your movement goals.
Flare Hub
Resources
- Website ·
Tips for Exercising in a Flare
- Website ·
Safe Exercises During a Flare – Moving With Arthritis Australia
- Website ·
Safe exercises during an arthritis flare
- Website ·
How to maintain movement during a flare up
- App ·
