Stepping into a warm shower is a pleasant experience for almost everyone, but if you have rheumatoid arthritis, this daily routine can be part of your treatment. “Usually patients who have rheumatoid arthritis will say, ‘If I wake up in the morning and I’m stiff, I take a hot shower, and the warm water from the shower will help to loosen my joints and make them feel better,’” says Ashira Blazer, MD, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone Medical Center.
It’s not just in your head: The warm water really does help. It’s coined “warm water therapy” by the Arthritis Foundation (AF), and it plays a big role in managing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Dr. Blazer is a rheumatologist and instructor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health.
References
Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Warm water works wonders on pain.
Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Water walking 101.
Bekaryssova, D., et al. (2024). Water-based interventions in rheumatic diseases: mechanisms, benefits, and clinical applications. Rheumatology International.
Eversden L, et al. (2007). A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of hydrotherapy and land exercises on overall well being and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Why trust our experts?
