Many professional organizations have guidelines for managing arthritis pain.

A common theme across guidelines is that pain management strategies should be flexible, include options that do not involve medication, and be tailored to meet the needs of the patient. Such guidelines suggest the following for managing arthritis symptoms such as pain:

• Over-the-counter medications like curcumin or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g.,Advil® or Motrin®) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).


• Physical activity/ exercise or community-based physical activity programs.
• Exercise therapy, including physical therapy.
• Self-management education workshops.
• Weight loss, if overweight or obese.


• Cognitive behavioral therapy — A psychological, goal-directed approach in which patients learn how to modify physical, behavioral, and emotional triggers of pain and stress.