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Osteoarthritis relief without more pills

It's possible to ease arthritis pain and stiffness without medication, but it takes some work.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce your reliance on medication to control symptoms and stay functional.

Acetaminophen: Minimal relief for knee arthritis pain

The pain from an arthritic knee can be intense, limiting daily activities and independence. Men can try a range of medications, but overall acetaminophen (Tylenol, other brands) appears to relieve pain only slightly better than a placebo pill, according to a research review in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The researchers pooled results from 137 randomized clinical trials involving about 33,000 people with knee arthritis and compared the relative effectiveness of the following treatments:

Could that leg pain be peripheral artery disease?

The pain of peripheral artery disease may be felt above or below the knee during activity, and will fade with rest.

Image: Thinkstock

The telltale sign is leg pain and fatigue that comes on with activity and goes away with rest.

When are opioids safe to take?

Opioids are commonly used to control acute, intense pain. Meditation, yoga, and acupuncture may help control pain when tapering off opioids.

Although these powerful pain relievers can be addictive, opioids are safe for most people when used properly.

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