Health Tip: Coping With Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis of the shoulder occurs when the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, causing pain and stiffness.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these tips to ease the symptoms of shoulder arthritis:

• Make adjustments as you perform daily activities to ease strain on your shoulder.
• Consider physical therapy to help improve range of motion.
• Speak with your doctor about taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and control pain.
• Ice the shoulder two to three times a day for 20 minutes at a time.