HHS HealthBeat (June 9, 2010)

Free treatment for arthritis pain

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Pills and other treatment for arthritis can cost a good buck. But one treatment can cost nothing. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Charles Helmick tells what it is:

"People are surprised to hear that being physically active can help reduce the pain of arthritis, but it’s true and there’s very good evidence that it’s true. There are simple things like walking, and bicycling and swimming that can help. For people that need more help, there are programs that show you how to exercise safely."  (14 seconds)

Arthritis has no cure but there are things you can do to manage the symptoms. About 46 million people have arthritis, and the number is expected to grow. Helmick says that most people with arthritis often rely on medicine to treat pain, but he says being active can help quite a bit.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011