| • | Exercise If you have arthritis, regular exercise may help, provided the exercise program is tailored to your needs and abilities and is combined with an appropriate amount of recovery time. |
| • | Weight And Diet Because there are more than 100 forms of arthritis and because dietary changes are not reliably effective in improving symptoms, it is impractical to promote any one diet for everyone with the disorder. |
| • | Heat And Cold Whether it's a good idea to apply either heat or cold, and which one would work best, depends on what type of arthritis you have; you should discuss this with your doctor. |
| • | Joint Protection A splint or brace can take the pressure off joints, especially in the wrist or hand, and protect them from injury. |
| • | Massage Although there are many types of massage, some work specifically to increase blood flow to painful areas, thereby reducing pain. |
| • | Acupuncture Some people find that acupuncture works to alleviate pain. However, there is no evidence that acupuncture suppresses inflammation. |