Tips for Managing a Flare

When your chronic pain symptoms suddenly crank up to 11 out of 10, you know that you are experiencing a flare. This unexpected increase in your disease can last days or weeks even. Your symptoms are amplified and you’re left exhausted from the effort of lifting your head off the pillow in the morning. But with proper planning and care, you can manage these symptoms.

Care for your Emotions

t’s normal to be hyper-focused on your body when you have a flare. But it’s important to care for your emotional health too. Allowing anxiety and stress to build can worsen inflammation and lead to depression, which is also linked to inflammation. Find outlets for ongoing stress relief and get professional help when your emotions get too overwhelming to manage on your own.

Check in with your Mind

Meditation and visualisation techniques can help you ease your mind and your body. When you practice these relaxation or mind-diversion methods, they may not directly reduce your pain, but they can minimise stress, which will indirectly relieve your pain. These techniques work best when you do them on a regular basis, so try incorporating them into your weekly exercise regimen.

Slow Down by Don’t Stop Moving

Giving yourself a break with rest does not mean stop moving. You don’t want your joints becoming stiff. Move them through the fullest range of motion you can manage. You can do something as simple as slowly raising and lowering your legs while seated comfortably. Just be sure to pace yourself and don't overdo it. If something causes you more pain, stop immediately.

Do you know the signs?

Flares can sometimes be “predictable”. For example, you overdo it one day and end up with swollen, stiff joints the next day. Other times, they seem to attack without warning as inflammation builds. Pay attention to early warning signs, such as a dull ache in your hands or daytime sleepiness that lasts for days. A key part of managing the flare is tackling it as early as possible.

Plan Ahead

To reduce stress around medication, appointment, cleaning or cooking, plan ahead with meal prep, booking your appointments to ease one less issue you may be thinking about.