Arthritis Treatment Pain Relief How to Manage Arthritis Flare-Ups By Carol Eustice facebook Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Learn about our editorial process Carol Eustice Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD on May 09, 2016 linkedin Grant Hughes, MD, is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Grant Hughes, MD Updated on January 18, 2020 Print An arthritis flare is an episode of increased pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The intensified arthritis symptoms can come on suddenly, disrupting your normal routine. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, flares can be brought on by overdoing activities, changing weather patterns, changes to your medications, stress—or sometimes for no apparent reason. To minimize the impact and help you recover from an arthritis flare as quickly as possible, consider the following advice. Aleksandra Jankovic/Stocksy United Rest Your Body It may seem like obvious advice, but people who are experiencing an arthritis flare seem to fight it. Rest is necessary to recover from a flare. Painful joints must be given a break from movement and weight bearing. It's just temporary—resting will actually allow you to get back to your usual routine sooner than if you didn't rest. Increase Pain Medication If you take an analgesic medication (painkiller) as part of your normal treatment regimen, a boost in the dosage may help tame an arthritis flare. Of course, you must still follow directions associated with the medication. You cannot take more than the maximum allowable dosage. A temporary boost in the medication, approved by your doctor, may deliver the relief you need. Arthritis Medications Overview Medrol Dosepack A Medrol dosepack contains a corticosteroid medication (methylprednisolone) used to control inflammation associated with certain forms of arthritis. A Medrol dosepak is pre-packaged and marketed as a short-term solution—usually 4-milligram (mg) tablets given in decreasing dosages over six days. Medrol Dose Pack Can Help Tame an Arthritis Flare Steroid Injection A steroid injection into a joint is an option for the pain that is primarily localized and persistent. A steroid injection should not be the first treatment choice when a flare occurs because there are limits regarding how often you can get an injection. Generally, most doctors recommend no more than three injections in a single joint per year. Heating Pads or Cold Packs Heat can be very soothing and is a readily available solution when having an arthritis flare. Heat penetrates the muscles and tissues, stimulates blood circulation, and can diminish the sensation of pain. When there is swelling around a joint, cold packs may produce more relief by decreasing inflammation. Immobilize Affected Joints Immobilizing a joint, by wearing a brace or support, can relieve the burden on that joint and relieve pain. The brace or support relieves pain by providing stability, warmth, and compression. Assistive Devices for Arthritis Have Quick Meals Ready-to-Go An arthritis flare can last one or two days, a week, or more. Unfortunately, a flare usually knocks you off of your usual pace. It is unlikely that you will feel like cooking until you get the flare to simmer down. It will help to have easy meals available. You never know when a flare will strike, so be prepared. Freeze leftovers so they are ready to go. Stock some of your favorite frozen dinners. If you have nothing on hand, call for pizza delivery. The Optimal Arthritis Diet Treat Yourself An unexpected arthritis flare can really bring a person with arthritis low. Despite being compliant with your medications, pacing your activities, getting regular exercise, following joint protection techniques, and keeping life on an even keel—flares happen. Try to see through the disruption and discouragement. Be kind to yourself during the flare period. Eat a little comfort food. Put on some relaxing music. Grab that book you have been wanting to finish. Part of treating a flare is healing your spirit. The Biggest Misconceptions About Arthritis Follow Your Doctor's Advice Because arthritis flares are somewhat inevitable, you should know what your doctor wants you to do when a flare occurs. Have a conversation with your doctor ahead of time. Flares are typically inconvenient, meaning they can occur during the night or on the weekend when your doctor is unavailable. Know the maximum limits of your pain medication. Discuss whether you should always have a Medrol dosepack on hand or ready to be refilled. Know what your doctor wants you to do. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Yılmaz V, Umay E, Gündoğdu İ, Karaahmet ZÖ, Öztürk AE. Rheumatoid arthritis: Are psychological factors effective in disease flare?. Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(2):127-132. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2017.16100 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. How is reactive arthritis treated?. Updated October 2016. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Living With Osteoarthritis.Updated May 2016. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Arthritis. Updated April 2017.