HOW TO EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

MANY people who already have arthritis assume the daily agony is something they just have to put up with. But with new treatments available all the time, arthritis is now more manageable than ever before. Here are some of the key ways to tackle it…

■■Painkillers For mild pain, you may find over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, combined with a gentle exercise routine, will keep it under control.

■■Physiotherapy Physio helps to keep your body flexible with a series of movements prescribed just for you. Not only can this ease pain, it can help give you back the confidence to continue exercising. You can be referred by a GP or rheumatologist to a physio or hospital physiotherapy department.

■■Hydrotherapy This is a kind of water-physio. It involves exercises that you do in a warm pool. The water supports your weight, which helps to relieve pain and increase the normal range of movement of your joints. Water also provides resistance as you move which increases your muscle strength.

Hydrotherapy sessions are available on the NHS, and most hospitals have access to hydrotherapy pools, so again, talk to your GP or rheumatologist.

■■Anti-inflammatories If your pain is more severe, your doctor may suggest capsaicin cream (a prescription-only treatment made from the ingredient that gives chillies heat), strong painkillers, anti-inflammatories such as Naproxen, or cortisone injections into the joint. Easing inflammation also reduces pain.