Can A Child With Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Lead A Normal Life?

Although this will abruptly change once they are teenagers, most children crave to be normal in that they want to do and have the experiences that all of the other kids they see having. So, when a child is diagnosed with early rheumatoid arthritis, one of the fears from both child and parent is that they would not be able to live a normal life. Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can live a relatively normal life in many ways.

Go Out And Play

It might sound like contradictory advice, but a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis still needs active playtime. The best way to get rid of momentary flare-ups is often to get moving. Some kids with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis like to warm up their painful joints first by putting a heating pad on their joints. Then, they go out and play.

Daily activity is important to build the growing body, but to keep the joints supple. The suppler they are, the less painful they will be. If there is doubt as to what play is best or most comfortable, or if the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is severe, then the child may have to go under the care of a physical therapist to get the body moving.

Alternative Therapies

In addition to taking painkillers and going to their regular doctor or pediatrician, many children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis also get pain relief from such alternative therapies as acupressure and acupuncture. The most pain you feel from a super slender acupuncture needle feels like a mosquito bite. Most kids get sleepy during treatments.

There is also an alternative treatment called hydrotherapy, which is a kind of intensely supervised swimming. Depending on the child and the particulars of his or her illness, they could also have soak in hot tubs or do underwater exercises top help keep the limbs supple. This might be a little more interesting for the child than acupuncture.

Before you and your child plunge into any alternative therapies for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, be sure to check with your doctor and your health insurance. You r doctor and your health insurance should be able to help you find an alternative therapist and recommend payment options. Acupuncture is one of the only alternative therapies that more and more health insurance companies will partially cover.

Other activities said to bring some relief are sculpting, gardening, interacting with animals and walking.