Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease affecting the joints. The immune system attacks the membrane lining the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and gradual loss of function. According to the National Institutes of Health, 1.3 million people in the U.S. suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Exercise

Exercise has been found to strengthen muscles, which is especially helpful for people with RA. Two types of exercise--flexibility and resistance--can help relieve joint stiffness. Examples of flexibility exercises are head turns and calf stretches. Shoulder shrugs and trunk twists are examples of resistance exercises.

Diet

Some people have found that eating certain foods worsens the symptoms of RA. An elimination diet--which eliminates foods such as dairy products, gluten, citrus, and caffeine, and then reintroduces them slowly to the diet--may be useful in identifying food triggers.

Fish Oil

Physicians don't recommend taking fish oil supplements for RA, but instead suggest that increased consumption of salmon, herring, and mackerel might be helpful.

Hydrotherapy

Hot tub hydrotherapy reduces inflammation, increases circulation, and can assist in reducing joint pain.

Over-the-Counter Preparations

Local anesthetics and analgesics assist in reducing joint pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter pain relief creams are BenGay and IcyHot. Examples of other preparations, which contain salicylate, are Aspercreme and Myoflex.

Copper Bracelets

Wearing copper bracelets to treat RA has been a folk practice for many generations.

Source:

National Institutes of Health

Resource:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center