Arthritis relief can come from several treatment options, including physical therapy, exercise, weight management, self-management strategies and medications prescribed by a qualified health care professional. Your doctor will recommend an approach based on the type of arthritis you have, the joints affected and the severity of your symptoms. Treatment for osteoarthritis may differ from treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis.
Arthritis can make simple activities such as walking, bending, climbing stairs or opening a door more difficult. However, medical treatment is not the only way to manage its symptoms. Research supports several approaches that can help reduce pain, maintain movement and improve quality of life.
First, it is important to understand that arthritis is not one condition. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (OA) being the most common. OA develops when the tissues in a joint break down over time. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, including the lining of the joints. Because these conditions have different causes, their treatment approaches can also differ.
Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity can help people with arthritis manage their symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says physical activity can reduce arthritis pain while improving mood, movement and quality of life. Joint-friendly activities include walking, cycling, swimming and water-based exercises. The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation recommend exercise for people with osteoarthritis of the hand, hip or knee.
If you have not been active for a while, you do not need to start with intense exercise. Begin with a few minutes of activity each day and gradually increase the duration as your strength and endurance improve.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends that adults with arthritis who can exercise safely aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week. However, your ideal activity level depends on your health, symptoms and physical abilities.
Strengthen the Muscles Around Affected Joints
Strengthening exercises can improve muscle strength and make everyday movements easier. Resistance bands and body-weight exercises can provide options for strength training, depending on your abilities and the joints affected.
A physical therapist can assess your condition and develop an exercise program based on your symptoms, goals and strength. A network meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Medicine that reviewed 74 randomized controlled trials found that physical therapy interventions can help manage pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Exercise can be an important part of arthritis management, but it does not work the same way for everyone. If you experience persistent or severe pain during exercise, talk with a health care professional or physical therapist about adjusting your routine.
Consider Weight Management When Appropriate
Excess weight can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, particularly in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. For people who are overweight or obese and have knee or hip osteoarthritis, weight management can be an important part of treatment.
The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend weight loss for people with knee or hip osteoarthritis who are obese. Research published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage also found that people with overweight or obesity who lost more than about 7% of their body weight experienced meaningful improvements in knee osteoarthritis pain and physical function.
Weight loss is not necessary for everyone with arthritis. If your doctor recommends it, focus on sustainable changes to your diet and physical activity rather than products that promise to cure arthritis.
Try Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help people with arthritis who experience problems with movement, strength, flexibility or balance. A qualified physical therapist can teach exercises designed to improve strength and range of motion while helping you manage pain and perform everyday activities.
Your treatment plan may include exercises, movement strategies and other techniques based on the type of arthritis and the joints affected. Physical therapy can complement other treatments, but it may not be appropriate as the only treatment for every type of arthritis.
Protect Your Joints Without Avoiding Movement
Pain may make you want to avoid moving an affected joint, but prolonged inactivity can make it harder to maintain strength, flexibility and balance. Joint protection focuses on reducing unnecessary stress and preventing injuries while allowing you to remain active.
You can protect your joints by choosing low-impact activities, using supportive equipment when appropriate and modifying repetitive tasks. This can be particularly important for people with osteoarthritis because joint injuries can increase the risk of developing or worsening symptoms.
The CDC recommends protecting your joints from injury while staying physically active. A health care professional or physical therapist can recommend appropriate equipment and strategies based on your condition.
Use Self-Management Strategies
Managing arthritis does not stop when you leave the doctor’s office. Self-management strategies can help you handle symptoms and maintain healthy habits between appointments.
Self-management education can teach people how to manage pain and fatigue, exercise safely and cope with the challenges of living with arthritis. Research published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that joint protection education delivered by an occupational therapist reduced pain and disability in people with hand osteoarthritis compared with no joint protection guidance.
The CDC recognizes more than 20 evidence-based physical activity and self-management programs for arthritis. These programs do not replace medical treatment, but they can give people practical skills for managing their symptoms and staying active.
Know When Medication May Be Necessary
Exercise and lifestyle changes can help manage arthritis, but they may not be enough for everyone. A health care professional may recommend medication based on the type of arthritis, the severity of symptoms and other factors.
For osteoarthritis, treatment may include physical therapy, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, supportive devices and, in severe cases, surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis requires a different approach because it is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) remain a central part of rheumatoid arthritis treatment because they target the underlying disease and can help prevent joint damage. Your health care professional can determine whether medication is appropriate and which treatment best fits your condition.
A treatment that helps someone with osteoarthritis may not be appropriate for someone with rheumatoid arthritis. Getting an accurate diagnosis is therefore important before starting or changing treatment.
Be Skeptical of Natural Cures
Many online sources claim that herbal products can relieve arthritis symptoms or cure the condition. However, the term “natural” does not mean a product is effective or safe.
Some herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications and affect how they work. A review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that herbal supplements commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions may interact with medications, including methotrexate.
Before using an herbal product for arthritis relief, ask your health care professional whether research supports its use and whether it is safe to take with your medications.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Arthritis Relief
An accurate diagnosis can help you find the right treatment for your symptoms. Joint pain and stiffness do not always mean you have arthritis, and different types of arthritis require different approaches. If you experience persistent joint pain or stiffness, talk with a health care professional. If you receive an arthritis diagnosis, consider asking:
- What type of arthritis do I have?
- Which joints are affected?
- What types of exercise are safe for me?
- Would physical therapy help?
- Should weight management be part of my treatment plan?
- What medications are available for my condition?
Arthritis relief often requires a combination of approaches rather than one treatment. Staying active, protecting your joints and learning effective self-management strategies can help you manage symptoms, while medication or other treatments may be necessary depending on your condition. Because arthritis has many forms, the best treatment plan depends on an accurate diagnosis. Talk with a health care professional about your symptoms and work together to find an approach that helps you stay active and maintain your quality of life.
