Healthy Lifestyles

Stiffness Solutions

Morning stiffness is one of the main symptoms and ways to measure arthritis. Ways to help morning stiffness include:

• Hot baths

• Sleeping in a sleeping bag

• Heating pads

• Ice packs

Exercise

Exercise can be especially difficult for children with JIA. But movement is very important to keep joints healthy, functioning properly, and can easy pain due to stiffness.

Some ways to stay active include low-impact sports:

• Swimming

• Biking

• Yoga

• Physical therapy

• Walking

• Elliptical machines

  
  

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Therapeutic exercise helps move the joints in efforts to preserve the joints' range of motion, treat stiffness, and prevent joints from becoming stuck in one position.

Lack of sufficient exercise and movement is especially dangerous because it places the JIA child at risk for osteoarthritis in the future. Therapy can be done in a variety of settings, in a clinic or at home.

Nutrition

A proper diet that is low in sugar and filled with whole foods is very important for kids with JIA. Sugar causes inflammation and is directly linked to increased arthritis pain.

A Mediterranean diet is highly recommended for all forms of arthritis, including JIA. Mediterranean diets are plant based foods with healthy fats. They include such foods as:

• Healthy fruits and vegetables should be eaten at each meal

  • avocados

  • blueberries

• Whole grains should be eaten at each meal

  • barley

  • brown rice

  • whole grain bread

• Extra Virgin olive oils

• Fish

• Nuts

• Legumes

These types of foods provide fiber, antioxidants, omega 3s, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

A Mediterranean diet can also help lower cholesterol levels, promote a healthy weight, and reduce heart disease risks.