Meditation for Arthritis

May 2021

Living with pain can be one of the hardest parts of having arthritis, and unfortunately there is no one-size-fits all approach to managing it. What works for one person may not work for another, and you may need to try different techniques until you find what works best for you.

The Dealing with Pain information sheet discusses the pain cycle and some of the techniques that may help you cope with pain.

For many people, the best pain management plan will include various types of techniques (possibly including medicines, exercise, relaxation, pacing, good quality rest) involving a range of healthcare professionals.

Mind Techniques

While it may not be suited to everyone, some people find that mind techniques play a part in helping to manage pain.

A trained professional, such as a psychologist, can help you learn relaxation and pain coping skills so you can better manage your pain.

Some of these techniques include:

Relaxation: Techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery (mental pictures) and progressive muscle relaxation, can help you reduce stress and muscle tension.
- These techniques need to be practised and you may have to try several methods before you find one that works for you. You may find it helpful to use recordings, CDs and books to help you learn relaxation techniques.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: This is a structured program developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. It helps you become aware of thoughts that may be exaggerated or unhelpful and then how to respond to them.

Meditation for Arthritis

Regular meditation practice can help us to relax and manage stress, which can help in easing arthritis symptoms. But, it is important to find a type of meditation that is most suitable for you.

Arthritis Foundation have put together this great article which discusses some different types of meditation techniques and what they involve.

Once you've learnt about meditation techniques, take a look at their tips for getting started.