Whole body

What It Is

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is a long-term inflammatory disease that happens when your body's immune system starts attacking its own organs and tissues. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect a number of different body systems, such as your skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and blood cells (NIAMS, 2022a).

It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms and signs often mimic those of other conditions (NHS, 2023). The main symptoms are joint and muscle pain, extreme tiredness that does not go away no matter how much you rest, and rashes that often come on after being in the sun (NHS, 2023). The most distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash shaped like butterfly wings, spreading across both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Many people with lupus get this rash, but not everyone does (NIAMS, 2022a; Arthritis UK, n.d.).

Some people are born with a tendency to develop the condition, which can then be triggered by things such as an infection, sunlight or certain medicines (NIAMS, 2022a; NHS, 2023). There isn't a known cure for lupus, but treatments can help control the symptoms, and symptoms can improve if treatment starts early (NHS, 2023).

Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks the healthy tissues within your body. It is likely to result from a combination of your genes and your environment: people who have inherited a tendency to the condition may develop it when they come into contact with something in the environment that triggers it (NIAMS, 2022a).

Lupus and the Immune System

The purpose of your body's immune system is to protect you from infections caused by germs such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is made up of a complex network of organs and cells. Lupus is an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your own body instead, causing inflammation (NHS, 2023). Lupus is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else (NHS, 2023).

See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if you often get symptoms of lupus, as it is better managed if it is found and treated early (NHS, 2023).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Lupus

Lupus is usually managed by your family doctor or nurse practitioner and a specialist team. The medicines used depend on how serious the lupus is and which parts of your body are affected, and they are often adjusted as symptoms flare up or settle (Arthritis UK, n.d.).

1. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

The NHS (2023) lists anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, among the treatments you may have for lupus, and Arthritis UK (n.d.) says these medicines can treat inflammation and pain in your joints. Arthritis UK (n.d.) adds that they are often used for short periods, and that long-term use can cause kidney problems, so they may not be advised if you have had kidney disease. (This medicine information comes from the NHS and Arthritis UK, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

2. Nutrition and Other Therapies

Good nutrition is important: the NHS (2023) advises a healthy, balanced diet, including vitamin D and calcium. Arthritis UK (n.d.) says there is no scientific evidence that any complementary therapy eases the symptoms of lupus itself, but massage and acupuncture may help with joint pain, although the relief may only last a short time at first. Talk to your doctor before starting any complementary treatment (Arthritis UK, n.d.). Working alongside your medical team, I can offer gentle massage for joint and muscle aches, and help you build up gentle exercise and pace your activity. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Antimalarial medicines: medicines first developed to treat malaria, most commonly hydroxychloroquine, are used for tiredness and for skin and joint problems in lupus. People taking hydroxychloroquine need regular eye checks (NHS, 2023; Arthritis UK, n.d.).
Steroids (corticosteroids): steroid tablets, injections and creams can reduce inflammation, for example in the kidneys or skin (NHS, 2023). Long-term or high-dose steroids can cause side effects such as thinning bones (osteoporosis), more infections, raised blood sugar or diabetes, and high blood pressure (NHS, 2025), and they should not be stopped suddenly without speaking to your specialist (Arthritis UK, n.d.).
Immunosuppressants: medicines that calm an overactive immune system, sometimes used for more severe lupus (NHS, 2023; Arthritis UK, n.d.).
Biological medicines: newer, more targeted medicines, such as belimumab, that reduce the activity of certain immune cells. They are usually used alongside other treatment when older medicines have not worked well enough or the lupus is very active (Arthritis UK, n.d.; NIAMS, 2022b).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Gentle massage for joint and muscle aches, adapted when you're in a flare
Help building up gentle exercise and pacing your day
Relaxation and breathing to help with stress

Tips

Those suffering with lupus often have persistent tiredness that isn't always relieved by rest. Learning to pace yourself, by finding the right balance between rest and activity, can help. Rest when you need to, but too much rest can weaken your muscles and may make you feel more tired (NHS, 2023; Arthritis UK, n.d.).
Gentle exercise such as walking and swimming is recommended, as it can improve tiredness without putting too much strain through your joints. Start gently and build up gradually (Arthritis UK, n.d.).
Since sunlight can trigger flare-ups, wear protective clothing and a hat, and use a high-factor sunscreen (at least factor 50) whenever you go outside (NHS, 2023; NIAMS, 2022b).
Do not smoke. Smoking makes lupus worse and increases the chance of heart and blood vessel disease (NHS, 2023; NIAMS, 2022b).
Stress can make symptoms worse, so relaxation techniques may help (NHS, 2023).
Maintain a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, fruit and whole grains (NIAMS, 2022b). Look at the advice sheet on anti-inflammatory diet too.

Treatment

My Approach

Lupus is diagnosed and managed by your medical team, and their treatment does the main work of controlling it. I support that care by easing joint and muscle aches and helping you build up gentle exercise and pace your energy. Lupus changes from week to week, so I check in at the start of every session and adjust.

I ask how you've been, what's flaring and what medicines you're taking, then assess how your joints move, where you're sore, and your strength and stamina.

During a Flare

Gentler, shorter sessions, avoiding the most inflamed joints
Slow, soothing massage with easy breathing, often for the neck, shoulders and back
Moving joints only as far as is comfortable, with no stretching or forceful work

Between Flares

Warm applications and massage for stiff joints and tight muscles
Gentle stretching and strengthening, built up slowly
Building up walking or swimming a little at a time, and balancing rest and activity
Relaxation and breathing to help with stress

I work around rashes, open sores and fragile skin, and use lighter pressure if long-term steroids have thinned your bones. If soreness lasts more than about an hour after a session or exercise, we scale back. I don't treat when you have a fever; contact your medical team instead.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: This is a long-term condition, so care is ongoing alongside your medical team's treatment. Most people come weekly at first, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then every few weeks. Expect stiffness and stamina to improve gradually over a couple of months of regular gentle exercise, at a pace set by how well your medical team's treatment is controlling the lupus.

What I Focus On

Flare-Aware Care

Gentle Massage

Pacing

Gentle Exercise

Relaxation

Sources

References

NHS (2023) Lupus. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (2022a) Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (2022b) Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus): diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis) (n.d.) Lupus (SLE). Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/lupus-sle/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2025) Steroids. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/steroids/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooLupus

What It Is

Lupus and the Immune System

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Lupus

1. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

2. Nutrition and Other Therapies

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

During a Flare

Between Flares

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooLupus

What It Is

Lupus and the Immune System

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Lupus

1. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

2. Nutrition and Other Therapies

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

During a Flare

Between Flares

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anterior Wedge Fracture to the Vertebra

Bone Tumor

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Book a session