Stess is also a big contributor to inflammation. Beware stressful events in your life, or work stress creeping in...it will cause flare-ups of your arthritis. Also, I find I am more sore when I am close to the Hut days.

The only advice I have for you during a flare up is....be kind to your body and be patient with your limitations. That....and know that it *will* get better, even though sometimes it feels like there is no relief!

Oh....and keep moving! Movement and physical activity is the best remedy I know!

I hava to see a Rheumatiod specialist on a regular basis, I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, its affects my back (from the bottom of my hips to the top of my neck is all, and my spine is fusing together) and as they tell me, I have to keep it regularly exercised, but to know the limit, because doing too much can make it worse, so ya have to start slow and find the happy medium that works.

as others have mentioned, wet heat works the best, for me since its my full spinal area and back, showers as hot as I can possibly stand works for me,
so you might try soaking your pained parts, steam rooms are great.

for your hands as also has been mentioned , hot paraffin dips.
you dont have to go to a spa for this, if you can find an old crock pot and the proper paraffin, I know it can be order for a fair price on the net.
I have a friend that has hand and wrist problems and she gave me the directions once, so I'll pass them on :)

Place Paraffin Skin Dip in crock pot on LOW heat. Heat until completely melted. Test temperature of wax; 125-130 degrees is the appropriate temperature for dipping. Dip clean hands in wax. Wrap hands with plastic wrap, covering the freshly-dipped skin, and allow to cool at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Wrapping with plastic wrap will provide deeper heat penetration and moisturization. Remove plastic wrap, and peel paraffin dip from your hands.
*make sure you use the proper Paraffin*

Another things she does is rub Tiger Balm on them.
Tiger Balm is a topical analgesics, with a soothing action that relieves muscular aches and pains.its similar to stuff like Icy Hot. Tiger Balm is made from active ingredients such as camphor, menthol, cajuput oil and clove oil.
I've used it on my back before but for me it doesnt help much but I know alot of people say it works great for them, so something ya miant to try.

hope some of this is helpful.