Experts now agree that people suffering from osteoarthritis should keep active. A controlled exercise regimen – exercise that doesn’t stress any physical or medical limitations – is good for you. It keeps you mobile and your joints strong. Keeping active can be as easy as walking at a brisk pace, going up and down stairs, sitting and getting up whenever possible. But by all means, try not to stop moving.

Find out if your health insurance covers referrals from your Primary Care Provider for physical therapy. Other ways to deal with osteoarthritis are:

• Acetaminophen tablets or capsules taken as directed on labels – and available Over-The-Counter (O-T-C) sold without prescriptions at your supermarket or Pharmacy. Check out the new long-acting extra-strength versions.
• Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen – which are low in potency as well as non- steroidal and anti-immflamatory

If the condition persists, visit your doctor or health care provider before it gets worse. For more serious versions of osteoarthritisis, he or she will check you out for bleeding and gastric ulcers. These conditions may require enteric-coated drugs to limit your discomfort. Drugs in this category are misoprostol (Cytotec), a histamine blocker like Tagamet or Zantac or a proton-pump inhibitor (like Prilosec or Prevacid) to protect the stomach lining.

But whatever regimen or drug is prescribed, you must work at staying active. Research shows that when you build your muscles, you will reduce pain, stress and slow osteoarthritis from getting worse. Not only that, but you might delay being in a wheelchair or waiting for an spouse, a member of the family or friend to carry your around. So just don’t stand there – move!