Keeping weight down helps reduce strain on joints. Appropriate exercises, especially during times of remission, will keep muscles strong. A supportive family or community of understanding friends brings comfort and reduces anxiety. Good stress management – relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and visualization are recommended. I think they could have added heat as a stress-management tool. Heat is known to relax tense muscles, and often when people are stressed, they may unconsciously tense muscles.
If you are feeling stressed – anxious or fearful – heat can help ease the tension in neck muscles. I used to tense my jaw when I got stressed and went to the dentist with tooth pain, only to be told there was nothing wrong.
Falling asleep may be difficult when you are stressed, leaving you feeling tired and not as able to deal with the anxiety. A heating pad may help.
Maine Warmers carries a variety of microwave heating pads that help relieve sore tense muscles. Their Neck Warmers stays warm for about 30 minutes. If you are looking for a comforting gift for someone with arthritis consider giving a Woolly Bear Neck Warmer or Dachshund Neck Warmer. They bring soothing comfort, don't look medicinal, and decorate a chair or bed when not in use.An article posted on the Mayo Clinic Web site offers suggestions for dealing with the pain of arthritis. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE RELIEVES ONE WOMAN'S PAIN
