
If you have pain caused by osteroarthritis, your GP might suggest you consider taking paracetamol for short-term pain relief.

The type of painkiller a GP may recommend for you will depend on the severity of your pain and other conditions or health problems you have. Sometimes a combination of therapies, such as painkillers, exercise and assistive devices or surgery, may be needed to help control your pain.

Your doctor will talk to you about medicines to relieve pain from osteoarthritis.

#Copper arthritis gloves how to
Your GP and practice nurse can also advise about how to lose weight slowly and safely.įind out more about managing your weight. They can help you plan a suitable exercise programme for you. If you're overweight or obese, try to lose weight by doing more physical activity and eating a healthier diet.ĭiscuss any new exercise plan with your GP or physiotherapist before you start. To find out if you are overweight or obese, use the healthy weight calculator. Losing weightīeing overweight or obese often makes osteoarthritis worse, as it places extra strain on some of your joints. It's important to follow this plan because there's a risk that doing too much exercise too quickly, or doing the wrong sort of exercise, may damage your joints.įind out more about exercise guidelines including simple ways to exercise at home. Your GP, or possibly a physiotherapist, will discuss the benefits you can expect from a exercise programme and can give you an exercise plan to follow at home. However, regular exercise that keeps you active, builds up muscle and strengthens the joints usually helps to improve symptoms.Įxercise is also good for losing weight, improving your posture and relieving stress, all of which will ease symptoms. If osteoarthritis causes you pain and stiffness, you may think exercise will make your symptoms worse. Your physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen your muscles and exercises to improve your general fitness. Lifestyle changes ExerciseĮxercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. In a few cases, where other treatments have not been helpful, surgery to repair, strengthen or replace damaged joints may also be considered.

There's no cure for osteoarthritis, but the condition does not necessarily get any worse over time.
