Exercise
Exercise reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. For arthritis sufferers, routine exercise is an effective part of treatment (note: extra pressure on some joints may aggravate arthritis).

• Maintains normal joint movement.
• Increases flexibility.
• Relieves stiffness.

• Increases muscle strength to help support and protect joints.

• Improves cardiovascular fitness.
• Helps control weight.
• May help reduce inflammation in joints.

Nutrition
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a healthy, balanced diet can foster a healthy weight, promote health and prevent disease.

• Eat a variety of foods.
• Balance the food you eat with physical activity.
• Choose a diet with plenty of grain products and vegetables, and fruits.
• Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Choose a diet moderate in sugars.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

Rest and Joint Care

• Short-term bed rest may help reduce joint inflammation and pain. Bed rest is especially useful when multiple joints are affected and fatigue is a major problem.
• Individual joint rest is most helpful when arthritis involves one or only a few joints.
• Heat therapy increases blood flow, tolerance for pain and flexibility.
• Cold Therapy, including cold packs, ice massages, OTC sprays and ointments, reduces pain by numbing the nerves around the joint.

Physical Therapy
The goal of effective physical therapy is to get you back to the point where you can perform normal, everyday activities — without difficulty. Physical therapists provided exercises designed to:

• Preserve good range of motion, which is essential for maintaining the ability to perform daily activities.
• Preserve joint strength and use.
• Help you move from one position to another without injury.
• Help you use walking aids.

Walking Aids
Your doctor may recommend a cane, walker or brace to help support your injured joint(s).

Medications

• Analgesics, pain relievers, may provide temporary relief of joint or arthritis pain. Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are traditional pain relievers.
• Topical pain relievers, including over-the-counter patches, rubs and ointments, can provide quick pain relief for people with joint or arthritis pain in just a few joints — such as a hand — or whose pain is mild.
• Cortisone injections may provide temporary relief.
• Visco-Supplementation is a hyaluronic acid (Cock’s Comb) injection, which is effective for five to 13 weeks. Note, this treatment does not prevent progression of your joint issue, and may be expensive to receive.
• Joint fluid supplements are provided to patients whose joint pain does not improve with medication or physical therapy. The joint is injected with a joint fluid supplement that acts as a lubricant for the damaged joint, and provides temporary relief. Joint injection schedules and duration of relief vary according to the treatment chosen and the individual patient. However, these injections do not cure the diseased joint and joint replacement may be needed as the joint worsens with time.