Exercise and medications are key to treating osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can be difficult to treat with any one method. A prescription to buy Celebrex can eliminate much of the pain. However, complementary methods may be needed in addition to medications to slow the progression of the disease.

Dr. Carlos Lozada, a rheumatology professor at the University of Miami, told the Miami Herald that exercise is one of the best ways to slow the progression of cartilage destruction that is often the cause of osteoarthritis. This therapeutic approach, when combined with medications, may make it much easier to live with the condition.

"The ideal therapy for osteoarthritis is one we don't yet have," he told the news source. "One that not only relieves symptoms, but also slows down or stops the disease progression. While weight loss and exercise can help those effects, we don’t have therapy yet to cure it."

In the absence of a definitive cure, a combination of therapies may deliver the strongest results. Many people who suffer from arthritis find it difficult to get recommended amounts of exercise due to the pain. The Arthritis Foundation recommends that people try water exercises, which provide a strong workout without the wear and tear on the joints.