1. Experiment with heat and cold. Some people find that their OA responds better to soothing heat, while others prefer the numbing, anti-inflammatory sensation of ice. Try both hot pads and ice packs to see which one works best for you.
2. Find a low impact way to exercise. Most people find that low impact activities, such as walking, swimming, tai chi, and yoga improve their strength and flexibility and ease their pain. Of course, you should always get your doctor's input and consent before beginning an exercise program.
3. Low fat foods are best to help reduce the negative effects of the degeneration from this diagnosis. The saturated kind is the worst and completely cutting out any meal that is fried will work. Avoiding sugar is highly recommended and drinking at least eight to ten glasses of natural spring water really helps.
4. Relaxation and Meditation. When you are tense and depressed, even minor aches can seem insurmountable and practicing this allows you to release the tension from your entire body and the worries, complaints, and anxieties from your mind. Relaxation can be as easy as imagining a favorite safe place or going through a systematic process of tensing and releasing your muscle groups. Meditation means simply letting yourself exist in the moment without thinking about anything special; if thoughts do come into your mind, acknowledge them, let them go, and return your awareness to the current moment.
5. Gentle massage helps patients. It encourages the muscles to release their tension. Some people like the aching joint massaged directly; others ask the therapist not to touch the tender region but to pay special attention to the area around it.