Arthritis and fatigue: An extreme exhaustion

Last updated 24/02/2024 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Arthritis and fatigue: An extreme exhaustion

Arthritis, also known as rheumatic arthritis, is an autoimmune diagnosis which, among other things, involves chronic joint inflammation. Usually there are several active joint inflammations in the body at the same time. This fight against inflammation in the body can lead to feelings of general weakness, drowsiness and exhaustion.

This extreme exhaustion is also known as "fatigue". Many people with the autoimmune and rheumatic diagnosis, arthritis, report that this is the worst symptom. Fatigue also occurs in it chronic pain syndrome fibromyalgia and other types of rheumatism. Researchers therefore believe that it is the eternal struggle inside the body that leads to the extreme exhaustion.¹ Other characteristic symptoms of arthritis are swelling and pain in the joints - in addition to stiffness. Many also experience extensive muscle aches and pains.

Fatigue is not the same as being tired

Fatigue is different from ordinary tiredness and being tired. People affected by fatigue describe it as overwhelming and uncontrollable. Furthermore, it is described as being totally exhausted and completely drained of energy. In addition, several report that they become almost apathetic and lose interest in almost everything around them. The need for sleep and rest becomes significantly greater and concentrating can be difficult. Naturally, this feeling of being constantly exhausted will also make it difficult to be active - which in turn can affect mood and state of mind (often in the form of depression and anxiety).

Tips: Fatigue can lead to a less active lifestyle - which in turn can contribute to tension in the neck. Towards the end of the article shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff, from the Vondtklinikkene dept. Lambertseter Chiropractic Center and Physiotherapy in Oslo, presented a training video with gentle neck exercises that you can easily do at home.

Symptoms of fatigue

We must remember that symptoms of fatigue can be physical, mental or emotional - and may include:

• Chronic fatigue

• Lack of energy and sleepiness

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Sore and aching muscles

• Muscle weakness

• Impaired reflexes and responses

• Impaired decision-making and judgement

• Mood changes (for example, irritability)

• Impaired hand-eye coordination

• Lack of appetite

• Reduced function of the immune system

• Visual disturbances (difficulty focusing)

• Memory impairment

• Difficulty concentrating

• Hallucinations (in case of extreme exhaustion)

• Apathy and reduced motivation

Not everyone with fatigue will experience all of these symptoms. This is a general list of symptoms associated with fatigue, but often the experience will vary from person to person.

Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here  for a complete overview of our clinics), including in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Viken (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood), has a distinctively high professional competence in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. Toe contact us if you want the help of therapists with expertise in these fields.

9 good tips for dealing with fatigue

Many people affected by arthritis and fatigue gradually learn to recognize the body's signals - and how they should then best adapt the day based on this. It is important to learn to control energy use in a better way and, not least, to accept that this (unfortunately) is a part of this rheumatic diagnosis. In addition to this, arthritis is characterized by periods when the symptoms and pain are worse (flare-ups), which must be taken into account.

- You have to accept that fatigue is part of arthritis

It can be difficult to accept, but unfortunately one has to accept that fatigue is felt with rheumatic arthritis - and then deal with this in the best possible way. Arthritis often goes up and down a lot, but with the right adaptations and preventive measures it is entirely possible to live a good and fairly normal life. Set yourself new goals that you can achieve despite the rheumatic diagnosis.

9 pieces of advice from people with arthritis

In interviews with people with rheumatoid arthritis, practical ways of dealing with fatigue are often mentioned. This may include to:

1. Learn to say no sometimes

2. Don't plan too much at once

3. Customize your goals

4. Plan carefully and take your time

5. Remember to take breaks

6. Go to bed early, take rest breaks and use relaxation techniques

7. Don't go out at the busiest times of the day

8. Talk to family and friends about rheumatoid arthritis - so that they understand the disease better

9. Meet others with arthritis to learn from their experience and experiences

A key message that repeats itself in these nine pieces of advice is that you must learn to become better at thinking about yourself. Many people burn too much energy in periods where they don't really have a surplus - and the consequence can be that you end up in a longer flare-up period with worsening symptoms and pain. Daily use of relaxation techniques can therefore be very useful for patients with arthritis.

Good relaxation tip: 10-20 minutes daily in neck hammock (link opens in a new browser window)

Many people with fibromyalgia suffer a lot from tension in the upper back and neck. A neck hammock is a well-known relaxation technique that stretches the muscles and joints of the neck - and can therefore provide relief. In the case of significant tension and stiffness, you can expect to feel the stretch extra well the first few times. Thus, it may be wise to only take short sessions at the start (around 5 minutes). Press the image or here to read more about how it works.

Comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation therapy against fatigue

Research has shown that massage can reduce pain and alleviate fatigue in MS patients.² It is reasonable to believe that the results can also be transferred to arthritic patients. In addition to this, meta-analyses, the strongest form of research, have shown that intramuscular acupuncture (dry needling) can reduce both fatigue and pain in people with fibromyalgia.³ It has also been seen that yoga, relaxation and mindfulness can have a positive effect. Other examples of measures that can help arthritis patients include:

• Medicinal treatment (supervised by a rheumatologist and GP)

• Anti-inflammatory diet

• Physical treatment

• Physiotherapy

• Cognitive therapy

• Training in a warm water pool

• Cryotherapy for swollen joints (reusable cryopack)

As we understand, it is important to combine several elements within treatment and rehabilitation therapy to achieve the best possible effect. An approach that addresses both physical and psychological aspects is important. Thinking about several factors within movement, circulation, diet and self-measures can make everyday life better. Remember that even cooling down swollen joints with reusable ice pack can contribute to less inflammation - and thus less stress on the body.

- Pain clinics: We can help you with pain in muscles and joints

Our publicly authorized clinicians at our affiliated clinics The pain clinics has a distinctive professional interest and expertise in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of muscle, tendon, nerve and joint ailments. We work purposefully to help you find the cause of your pain and symptoms - and then help you get rid of them.

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The pain clinics: A holistic treatment approach is essential

With us, you can always be sure that you are in the best hands. Feel free to contact one of our clinic departments belonging to Vondtklinikkene if you would like more information about how we use combinations of treatment techniques – including massage, dry needling, rehabilitation exercises and therapeutic laser therapy, to achieve the best possible results. Collaborating with a rheumatologist and GP, in relation to drug treatment, is also an important part of the overall treatment plan.

VIDEO: 9 adapted neck exercises

In the video above shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff at the Vondtklinikkene ward Lambertseter in Oslo presented nine adapted exercises against neck tension and stiffness. The exercises can help you stimulate movement and dissolve sore muscles and stiff joints.

«Summary: Fatigue is no joke. And one of the first things you have to do as arthritis patients is to recognize just that. By mapping and adopting measures that save energy, you avoid flare-up periods and the worst episodes of fatigue. It is therefore very important that you find the things that work for you."

Join our rheumatism support group

Feel free to join the Facebook group «Rheumatism and Chronic Pain - Norway: Research and news» (Press here) for the latest updates on research and media articles on rheumatic and chronic disorders. Here, members can also get help and support - at all times of the day - through the exchange of their own experiences and advice. Otherwise, we would greatly appreciate it if you would follow us on the Facebook page and Our Youtube channel (the link opens in a new window).

Please share to support those with rheumatism and chronic pain

Hello! Can we ask you a favor? We kindly ask you to like the post on our FB page and to share this article on social media or via your blog (please link directly to the article). We are also happy to exchange links with relevant websites (contact us on Facebook if you want to exchange links with your website). Understanding, general knowledge and increased focus is the first step towards a better everyday life for those with rheumatism and chronic pain diagnoses. So we hope that you will help us with this battle of knowledge!

The pain clinics: Your choice for modern interdisciplinary health

Our clinicians and clinic departments always aim to be among the top elite in the field of investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain and injuries in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. By pressing the button below, you can see an overview of our clinics - including in Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Viken (Raw wood og Eidsvoll Sound).

Sources and Research

1. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Rheumatoid arthritis: Living and dealing with fatigue. May, 2020. [PubMed – Books]

2. Salarvand et al, 2021. Effectiveness of massage therapy on fatigue and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021 Jun.

3. Valera-Calero et al, 2022. Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Aug.

Article: Arthritis and fatigue: An extreme exhaustion

Written by: Our publicly authorized chiropractors and physiotherapists at Vondtklinikkene

Fact check: Our articles are always based on serious sources, research studies and research journals - such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Please contact us if you spot any errors or have comments.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about arthritis and fatigue

1. Are arthritis and rheumatism the same?

No, it is not. Arthritis is the same as rheumatic arthritis (often abbreviated to RA) - i.e. a rheumatic diagnosis. Rheumatism is the umbrella term for over 200 different rheumatic diagnoses, which include Psoriasis arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (Ankylosing spondylitis). It is important to point out that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition - where the body's own immune system attacks its own cells in the joints.