Managing Nighttime Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: Relief Strategies

Struggling with pain at night from rheumatoid arthritis disrupts sleep and makes daily functioning difficult. There are several things that can be done that may help with arthritis pain at night.

Helpful Daily Habits

• Exercising daily, a well-balanced diet, and managing stress can lower pain levels for rheumatoid arthritis patients at night.

Whirlpools

• Taking a warm bath before bed relaxes muscles. A whirlpool bath or jacuzzi adds gentle massage to the experience, adding in pain relief before bed.

Braces

• Wrapping the sore joints with a bandage or wearing a brace helps protect and support the joint, bringing relief from nighttime pain.

Medications

• Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen may reduce the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the Mayo Clinic recommends topical products that produce warmth when applied to the skin. Using products like these may reduce pain at night.

Heated Mattress Pad

• A warming pad for your mattress produces soothing warmth while you sleep, which provides pain relief all night.

Pillows

• Arthritis Today Magazine advises that using a pillow suited for your needs is essential in avoiding arthritis pain at night.