One of the primary symptoms of osteoarthritis is pain that worsens during activity and improves with rest. We hear a lot about the importance of physical activity to build strength, endurance, and improve range of motion. But what about rest? When should you rest? How long should you rest? Is it ever a bad thing to rest when you have osteoarthritis?

Rest is a simple, non-pharmacologic remedy for osteoarthritis pain. Sometimes we overlook a treatment option that isn't complicated or expensive because we assume it won't work. Get advice from your doctor about resting and then work it into your routine. Learn more about the benefits of resting in Will Rest Ease Osteoarthritis Pain?

Related Resources:

• Recognizing Osteoarthritis Symptoms
• 10 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain
• Joint Protection Advice for People With Arthritis
• 16 Non-drug Treatments for Knee and Hip OA

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A cervical pillow can improve the alignment of your neck and spine, helping to relieve neck pain associated with arthritis. Choose a cervical pillow that suits you. There are several features to consider when looking for a cervical pillow, including size, shape, and material.

Some are made with memory foam, buckwheat hull, water, or air (comes with its own pump). It's hard to decide -- without trying each cervical pillow out yourself. Take a look at these cervical pillows -- hopefully it will encourage you to learn about your options.

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• Moist / Dry Heating Pads
• Back Supports
• Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Pain
• The Facts of Analgesics

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Researchers focus on finding the causes or predisposing factors for various diseases and conditions. Osteoarthritis is no different. Osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis, has been tied to age, overweight, and previous injury, among other things. As for previous injury, you probably are thinking of a broken bone -- perhaps from a sports injury or accident -- that can cause problems years later.

According to a report published online October 29, 2009 in Arthritis Care & Research, childhood physical abuse and early-life trauma has been linked to the development of adult osteoarthritis. There were more than 11,000 respondents to the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey which was used in the study. After adjusting for certain factors, researchers concluded that the association between childhood physical abuse and osteoarthritis was significant. Further studies are needed to determine how osteoarthritis develops as a consequence of childhood physical abuse.

Related Resources:

• Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
• Overweight Increases Risk of Osteoarthritis
• Joint Injury Increases Risk of Osteoarthritis
• Does Aging Cause Osteoarthritis?

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Tai chi is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that enhances balance, strength, and flexibility. Using a mind-body approach and a focus on slow, rhythmic movements, tai chi has been found to benefit osteoarthritis patients. Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine have specifically determined that knee osteoarthritis patients over age 65, who participate in regular tai chi exercise, experience less pain and better physical function.

According to the study results, which were reported in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, 20 of 40 study participants were asked to participate in 60-minute Yang style tai chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of tai chi principles, 30 minutes of tai chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

The other 20 people, serving as the control group, attended two 60-minute class sessions per week for 12 weeks. Each session included instruction that covered osteoarthritis, diet and nutrition, treatments or physical and mental health education -- and 20 minutes of stretching exercises. At the conclusion of the 12-week study, the tai chi group experienced a significant decrease in knee pain compared to the control group.

Related Resources:

• Tai Chi - What You Need to Know
• Tai Chi and Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis and Exercise
• Tai Chi Is Effective for Severe Knee Osteoarthritis
• How Is Physical Function Assessed?

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When you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your doctor may launch into a discussion about cartilage damage or cartilage being worn away. What exactly is cartilage? What causes cartilage loss? Can cartilage be restored?

There are three types of cartilage. Arthritis patients are most familiar with articular or hyaline cartilage -- present in the joints, nasal septum, and airtube. Elastic cartilage is found in the ear, part of the nose, and the airtube. Fibrous cartilage is found in the meniscus. Learn more in All About Cartilage - Facts You Should Know.

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• Cartilage Damage from Knee OA
• Cartilage - 10 Things You Need to Know
• Significance of Joint Space Narrowing
• X-ray Evidence of Osteoarthritis
• What Are Osteophytes / Bone Spurs?

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These days, I'm getting more and more email from people who want to know what to do to relieve pain and other osteoarthritis symptoms. Because of economic hardship, they may have lost their health insurance or lack money to put toward improving their health situation. But you should always remember, relief doesn't have to be expensive.

Study results show that using a cane can reduce mechanical stresses within the knee and reduce pain -- especially among those who use a cane regularly. The results were presented at the 2009 ACR (American College of Rheumatology) meeting but are considered preliminary until published in a journal.

Isn't it refreshing though that there are still options that are less complicated? Don't overlook a solution that may help because it seems too simple.

Related Resources:

• Canes for You to Consider
• How to Choose and Use a Cane
• 10 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain
• Elderly Falls Tied to Canes and Walkers
• Cane Use Cuts Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis Progression

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It's a line that seems blurred at times. You hear that you should participate in regular exercise and physical activity -- but you also hear that it's unwise to overuse your joints. Obviously the other bit of advice you hear is spot on -- you must pace your activities. Researchers evaluated the association of occupations, sports, and life-long activities on knee osteoarthritis.

According to the October 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, there were 480 study participants with knee osteoarthritis who were compared to 490 healthy controls. Results revealed that prolonged squatting and cycling were risk factors for knee osteoarthritis. Knee-bending appeared to be a borderline risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Carrying loads, climbing stairs, prolonged standing, sitting on the floor, and walking up and downhill were not risk factors for knee osteoarthritis.

Researchers concluded that education is important to teach patients which risk factors may be preventable. When the knee joint is overused, the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis goes up.

Related Resources:

• Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
• Joint Protection Advice
• Can Sports Cause Osteoarthritis?
• What Causes Joint Stiffness?
• Knee Osteoarthritis - What You Need to Know

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Previous studies that assessed the effectiveness of glucosamine for the knee have been inconsistent -- producing conflicting results. Research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Scientific Meeting suggests glucosamine may not help prevent joint damage in osteoarthritis. The results were based on a 24-week study involving 201 study participants with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.

MRIs and x-rays were performed at the beginning of the study and again at 24 weeks. Results revealed:

• the odds of worsening cartilage damage in the glucosamine group were same as in the placebo group
• the odds of worsening bone lesions was same for both groups
• there was no difference in cartilage synthesis between the two groups

The bottom line -- this was a short-term study that provided no evidence to support the theory that glucosamine is beneficial for knee osteoarthritis.

Related Resources:

• More About Glucosamine
• More About Knee Osteoarthritis
• Glucosamine - 10 Things You Should Know
• Osteoarthritis Supplements - Know Your Options
• Chondroitin - What You Need to Know

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It's been clearly stated in the past that weight gain can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis -- especially in the weightbearing joints (knee, hip, spine). Typically, adults gain weight throughout their lives. While weight loss can be difficult to achieve, weight maintenance may be a more realistic goal for some people.

According to a report from the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- researchers compared whether weight maintenance was as effective as weight loss by studying more than 1,400 people who were part of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Researchers concluded that the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis was significantly decreased for patients who lost weight compared to those who maintained their weight.

Related Resources:

• Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
• Eat Right and Eat Less
• Overweight Is a Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis
• Obesity Linked to Osteoarthritis and Joint Replacement Complications
• Has Weight Gain Been a Problem for You?

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Going back in time, I heard about copper bracelets just about the same time I learned about arthritis. Copper bracelets were touted as a cure for arthritis. Imagine that -- if you wore a copper bracelet, your arthritis would go away -- or so "they" said.

According to researchers from the University of York, not only are copper bracelets useless, so are magnetic wrist straps. The researchers conducted a small study, considered the "first tightly controlled trial" of copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps. There were 45 patients involved in the study. The study participants, all of whom had osteoarthritis, tried a copper bracelet, two versions of the magnetic wrist straps, and a wrist strap that was demagnetized. The items were worn in random order over a 16-week period.

Conclusions were published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine. The copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps were found to be ineffective -- providing no significant improvement in pain, stiffness, or physical function. Any benefit was the result of the placebo effect. Bottom line -- save your money.

Related Resources:

• Magnets: Evidence Does Not Support Use for Pain Relief
• Awareness Is Key to Alternative Treatments
• What Is the Placebo Effect?
• More About Copper Bracelets
• More About Magnets for Arthritis

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