
Joint and muscle pain in Sjogren’s syndrome may result from a variety of causes including inflammation, fibromyalgia, age-related osteoarthritis, vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroidism etc.
Work with your rheumatologist to identify the specific cause(s) of your pain and find the best treatment regimen for you. Maintain a positive attitude and be an active partner in the management of your pain.
The tips below will also help:
- Become knowledgeable about your medications
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Set aside an hour before bedtime for relaxation. Listen to soothing music.
- Consider taking a warm bath before going to bed
- Make your bedroom as quiet and comfortable as possible.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day.
- Avoid long naps during the day.
- Exercise regularly with the goals of improving your overall fitness and keeping your joints moving, the muscles around your joints strong and your bones strong and healthy
- A physical therapist, occupational therapist, or your health-care provider can prescribe an exercise regimen appropriate for your joint or muscle problem.
- Start with a few exercises and slowly add more.
- Make your exercise program enjoyable. Do it with your spouse or a friend. Include recreational activities, such as dancing, walkingand miniature golf.
- Try different forms of exercise, such as Tai chi, yoga and water aerobics.
- Balance rest and activity
- Pace yourself during the day, alternating heavy and light activities and taking short breaks to rest.
- Control your weight
- Protect your joints and muscles
- Use proper methods for bending, lifting, and reaching.
- Use assisting devices, such as jar openers, reach extenders and kitchen and garden tools with large rubber grips that put less stress on affected joints.
- Use various therapeutic modalities that can relieve joint and muscle pain
- Use heat (heating pads, warm shower or bath, paraffin wax) to relax your muscles and relieve joint stiffness.
- Use cold packs to numb sore joints and muscles and reduce inflammation and swelling of a joint
- Consider massage therapy.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery, prayer and self-hypnosis.
Thank you Alan Baer, MD for these tips. Dr. Baer is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Director, Jerome L. Green Sjogren’s Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine