Exercise
Finding the motivation to exercise can be difficult, and it's even harder when you're in pain. Exercise is, however, an excellent way to manage arthritis. Although exercise may make the pain worse temporarily, in the long run it serves to increase joint mobility while strengthening the joints and the muscles around them. Start slow with mild exercises …show more content…
This can be particularly true in youngsters. During arthritis flares, get involved in a game, good book or a movie. A distraction won't stop the pain but it can lessen it by removing the focus.
Medications
Many arthritis sufferers are hesitant to try and resolve their pain with medication. The thought of drug treatments can be especially daunting for parents who are dealing with arthritis in children. While it is certainly understandable why one would hesitate to turn to a chemical solution, many drugs, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, can help alleviate the pain of arthritis without unpleasant side effects. Working with your doctor and carefully following all his instructions are the keys to successfully managing arthritis with medication.
Surgery
In cases where arthritis pain is both chronic and extreme, surgery is sometimes an option. The type of surgery depends on the specific nature of the problem. In some instances joints are replaced completely and the new joint provide many years of smooth, comfortable movement. Sometimes joints simply need to be realigned or have debris and tissue fragments removed from them. Young people who have these surgeries tend to recover quickly and live with much less