Q. How do I get enough exercise when I’m having a rheumatoid arthritis flare? I try to work out with a trainer twice a week, but some days I can barely drag myself home from work. – Judi, via e-mail A. Think of an arthritis flare as a looming thunderstorm and yourself as a runner. If you could almost feel electricity crackling through the air, instead of risking getting zapped by a lightning bolt, you’d switch to plan B. For a runner, that might be a treadmill. For someone with RA, it might be a treadmill on “crawl.” Or gentle yoga or stretches that keep you from stiffening up until the storm passes.
Get plenty of rest, and use all the usual pain easers: cold packs and/or warm compresses on inflamed joints, whichever helps you most; deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to reduce stress; and limiting vigorous activity to stuff that doesn’t hurt. We want you to go no longer than two weeks without cardio or three weeks without strengthening exercises for above and below the joint.
