Arthritis pain can make it difficult to accomplish even the simplest activities. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems in the U.S. and the nation's leading cause of disability in people over age 15, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The condition affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, redness or stiffness. Although there is currently no cure for arthritis, medication, exercise and home remedies can help reduce pain and increase mobility.
Step 1
Use hot packs and heating pads to loosen stiff muscles and ease joint pain. Taking a hot bath may also be helpful in relieving stiffness and pain.
Step 2
Apply a cold pack or bag of frozen peas to painful joints to relieve arthritis pain. Keep more than one cold pack in the freezer to allow for frequent use.
Step 3
Use over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) if heat or cold are not helpful in relieving pain. Common NSAIDS include naproxen and ibuprofen. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons cautions that people who have asthma, ulcers or liver or kidney disease may not be able to safely take NSAIDS.
Step 4
Lose weight if overweight. Being overweight can put extra stress on the joints, increasing symptoms.
Step 5
Exercise daily to keep joints limber and strengthen the muscles connected to the joints. The National Institute on Aging recommends walking or swimming to help relieve arthritis symptoms.
Step 6
Talk to a doctor about daily pain relief if over-the-counter medications are not helpful in controlling pain. Doctors can prescribe stronger prescription medications or inject corticosteroids into joints to temporarily relieve swelling and pain.
Tips and Warnings
- Surgery may be recommended if home remedies and pain medication are unsuccessful in controlling pain and inflammation. A variety of surgical procedures are available to treat arthritis, including total joint replacement, joint fusion, joint realignment and removal of damaged or diseased joint lining.
- High-impact aerobics, tennis, running, jumping and other forms of exercise can put too much pressure on the joints and should be avoided. In addition to walking and swimming, bicycling can also be helpful in strengthening muscles without causing further damage to the joints. Avoid activities that are known to worsen symptoms. If there is no way to avoid these activities, take frequent breaks and apply heat or cold to the joint after finishing the activity.
Things You'll Need
- Hot packs
- Heating pads
- Cold pack
- Frozen peas
- Over-the-counter pain medication
