Arthritis Do’s and Do nots

Exercise Do’s:

• Perform activities that build and strengthen the muscles around the joint without putting too much stress on the joints
• Stretching and strength training
• Low-impact aerobics like walking, water aerobic, or cycling

Exercise Do nots:

• Running
• Jumping
• Inactivity
• High-Impact repetitive movements – like swinging a bat or a tennis racket

Medication Do’s:

• Rest, apply warm and cold packs to relieve joint pain
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for occasional mild pain
• Take an NSAID an hour or two before a physical activity if you anticipate joint pain
• Contact your doctor if these OTC medications do not sufficiently relieve the pain

Medication Don’ts:

• Over treatment – If the pain persists and you find yourself using an excess of the above medications, consult your doctor
• Under treatment – If the arthritis pain is prolonged consult your doctor because the pain could possibly be relieved with a prescribed medication