Pain relief techniques for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

You and your child can reduce your child's long-term (chronic) pain associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) with the following techniques:

• Distraction using activities, conversation, reading, or other forms of entertainment
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Meditative breathing exercises, such as roll breathing and belly-breathing
• Positive ways of thinking about and coping with pain and illness, as taught in cognitive-behavioral therapy

Mental health professionals (counselors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists) and books can provide information and training about these techniques.