- "Pain is no gain." Stop immediately and do not "push through" joint discomfort when working or exercising.
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- Note that a positive attitude of prevention can improve global functioning and reduce stress.
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- Consider adding the following measures to prevent injuries and/or manage pain:
- Take tai chi or qigong lessons for balance, body control, and posture and to stabilize joints by building supportive muscle.
- Consider swimming and bicycling to provide aerobic exercise with less impact on joints.
- Use meditation with deep breathing exercises to help to maintain lung capacity and reduce anxiety associated with painful joints.
- Participate in a physical therapy program for strengthening and stabilization of joints; use prescribed braces, splints, or taping as needed for added stability.
- Choose thick, flexibly soled, low-heeled shoes with arch support; tie-up boots give support for unstable ankles.
- Use side-sleeping, body pillows, and super-dense foam mattress pads to improve restful sleep.
- Soak for 10 minutes in a hot bath in the morning to reduce muscle stiffness and before bed to relax muscles and improve sleep. Seek a heated pool for swimming.
- When getting dental work done, take breaks to close your mouth, ask for a plastic bite-block, and remind the dentist that your healing may be delayed and bleeding may be greater than expected.
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- When possible, minimize or avoid the following to prevent injuries and/or pain:
- Minimize running, stair climbing, step aerobics, and stretching yoga to protect hips, knees, and ankles.
- Avoid contact sports for those with skin fragility.
- Avoid activities that stress joints (eg, gymnastics, ballet, cheerleading) to reduce the risk of joint injury and prevent pain in hypermobile joints.
- Do not chew gum, hard rolls, or ice, or bite into hard fruit to help prevent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain disorder.
- Try to prevent falls and burns and use protective clothing or gear (eg, shin guards) to reduce skin trauma. Fractures, wounds, cuts, and bruises may take longer to heal and may scar poorly.
- Avoid getting deep tissue massages, which may cause muscle damage.
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- When a joint "pops" in and out (subluxation), use ice immediately to reduce swelling, then apply heat or warm compresses that night.
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- To manage postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), stay hydrated, preferably with liquids that contain a bit of salt, and move slowly when standing up. Consider compression knee socks.
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- Note that local anesthetics tend to be less effective in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
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