Treatment Options

Helping Yourself

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the U.S. For millions of Americans with arthritis, activities such as getting out of bed, climbing stairs, dressing or walking can be very difficult.

Exercise may be the key to managing the disease, increasing energy, improving flexibility and contributing to overall improvements in wellbeing and general health. Exercise can also bring weight loss, which will reduce stress on your joints.

Although exercise is recommended for arthritis, it's important to moderate your exercise by balancing it with periods of rest. This way you will reduce the chance of becoming too tired and protect your joints from the stress of performing repeated tasks. Limit exercises that involve repeated jarring activities, such as high-impact aerobics. Remember to talk to your physician before beginning an exercise program.

When your arthritis pain flares, there are a few additional things you can do to treat the pain and reduce the inflammation even without taking medication:

• Rest your joints for a few days by avoiding activities that put strain on the affected joints.
• Apply cold packs to swollen, inflamed joints for 10 to 20 minutes every hour to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
• If there is no joint swelling, apply moist heat using a towel or wash cloth wet with hot - not too hot - water. Do this for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day to reduce joint pain and stiffness.

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.