Activity

• Although the idea of exercise may seem counterintuitive, gentle or moderate activity such as walking, tai chi or yoga can help strengthen the muscles around your joints and reduce arthritis pain.
  
  

Physical Therapy

• Sessions with a physical or occupational therapist can help you learn new ways to perform activities that relieve stress and pressure on your joints and muscles.
  
  

Natural Remedies

• If your osteoarthritis pain is mild, consider natural remedies such as application of hot and cold compresses; dietary supplements such as glucosamine; or soaking in a warm bath with lavender or chamomile extracts.
  
  

Pain Relievers

• Moderate osteoarthritis pain may require you to take pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium in addition to making lifestyle changes.
  
  

Steroids

• Severe osteoarthritis pain that occurs in just one of your joints may be treated with an injection of corticosteroids or a course of oral steroids such as prednisone.
  
  

Surgery

• Your doctor may recommend surgery as an option of last resort to relieve your osteoarthritis pain; techniques include bone fusing or realignment, joint debridement or joint replacement.