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News Releases
Beating Winter Weather Stiffness
Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 21, 2007) With the freezing temperatures and constant threat of snow and ice, many people with arthritis suffer from stiff joints. Though hibernating through the winter might seem like the perfect solution, here are a few ideas to keep that winter stiffness at bay.
Exercise. Try stretching before leaving the house. Or, take a few walking laps down the hallway to warm-up the joints. Increasing daily activity will not only help to keep bones and muscles strong, but will boost energy levels. "It is also important to remember to take frequent stretch breaks throughout the day. Most people who have RA benefit from stretching at least once an hour. Prolonged sitting can increase stiffness and pain," says Kathy Donovan Hanson,M.Ed., senior research specialist at the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC). Remember: Before beginning any exercise regime, it is always a good idea to consult your physician.
Clothing. Dressing in thin layers will help keep your joints warm. Transitioning from the indoors to the cold outdoors may be uncomfortable, so keep a blanket or throw in the car to keep your legs warm. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Allowing yourself to add or remove a layer of clothing will keep your joints insulated.
Minimize. If your schedule allows, avoid the coldest parts of the day. Leave home with a plan. Know what tasks are at hand and organize your day before departing. Minimizing your exposure to the cold will alleviate uncomfortable stiffness.
Heat. When coming in from the cold, try applying a heating pad to stiff joints or taking a quick warm shower. Some people find heat helps ease the pain of stiff joints.
Don't hide inside for fear of painful, stiff joints. Take some easy precautions to guard your body from winter's wrath.
If you would like to learn more about how to cope with rheumatoid arthritis, go to www.rahelp.org.
Rahelp.org, is an online, research project conducted by MARRTC to evaluate the efficacy of an online self-management program for people with rheumatoid arthritis compared to self-management instruction in traditional clinical settings. The program offers 10 learning sessions to qualified participants: People over 18, residing in the United States and with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. For more information, call 1-888-740-6626.
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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