More than medication

Taking control

Managing arthritis is about a combination of things - taking some exercise, managing your weight, making sure you can still do the things you enjoy.

The next steps can help you continue to take an active role in your treatment:

• Work with your doctor

Talk to your doctor about changes in your pain, so that together you can determine the right treatment for you. Always take your medicines as your doctor prescribes, but remember to report any changes in your health or side effects that you may experience.

• Keep informed

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about osteoarthritis or your treatment. You can also use books, magazines, and online resources to learn more about osteoarthritis as well as stay up-to-date on new developments in medicine and treatment options.

• Consider lifestyle changes

In addition to a healthy diet, finding a balance between physical activities (like walking or water aerobics) and rest can help to ease the pain of osteoarthritis.

• Discover arthritis-friendly tools

Whether it's a special trowel for the garden or a set of elastic shoelaces to make putting on shoes easier, these tools help protect your joints from painful moves and can improve your ability to perform daily tasks. Your doctor or an occupational therapist will be able to help you find the right tools for you.

Alternative approaches

A number of supplements are promoted in health food shops for treating osteoarthritis. Two of the most common ones are chondroitin and glucosamine. However, there is very little evidence from research studies that these help the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not recommend chondroitin for people with osteoarthritis. If you have any questions about taking supplements, talk it through with your GP.

To find out more about these supplements see the section on Eating Well.

Some people may also try acupuncture, a procedure where small needles are inserted into various points on the body. Others may try massage, which is a hands-on therapy involving the manipulation of muscles and other soft-tissues. However, there isn't very much evidence to show either acupuncture or massage are likely to help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.