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Get StartedLifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staff- Weight loss. If you're obese, losing weight will reduce the stress on your weight-bearing joints. This may increase your mobility and limit future joint injury.
- Exercise. Regular exercise can help keep your joints flexible. Swimming or water aerobics is often a good choice because the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.
- Heat and cold. Heating pads or ice packs may help relieve arthritis pain.
- Assistive devices. Using canes, walkers, raised toilet seats and other assistive devices can help protect your joints and improve your ability to perform daily tasks.
References
- Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/tengo_artritis.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Pinals RS. Patient information: Arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Questions and answers about arthritis and rheumatic diseases. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_qa.asp. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Handout on health: Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Handout on health: Rheumatoid arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Kalunian KC. Patient information: Features and diagnosis of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Becker MA. Patient information: Gout. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2008.
- Surgical therapy. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112757110-6/780150341/1492/1060.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50304-9--cesec7_13377. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Natural medicines in the clinical management of osteoarthritis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
- Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/acu-osteo.htm. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.