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Online resource that helps patients better understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage the denial process and reduce health care costs.
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Do I Have Arthritis?
Think you may have arthritis? Learn about the four most common warning signs.
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Gout
Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can come and go.
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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurse Newly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
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  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
    • Treatment
    • Managing Pain
    • Medical Decisions
    • Nutrition
    • Emotional Well-being
  • Professionals
    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

    Fellowships

    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

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    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's knee Conquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Common Topics
    Capital hill Action Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnail Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

    woman listening to podcast Live Yes! Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

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Back

Touch Therapy for Arthritis

Touch therapy can be very effective in relieving pain in the joints and muscles, find out more here.

1. Hands-on Pain Relief
Many people are helped by hands-on treatments such as acupuncture, spinal manipulation and massage. But there is more to these procedures than inspiring stories. A growing number of studies find touch therapies effective, as researchers continue to explore why and how they may work. Here's a closer look at some of these treatments.
2. Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. The goal is to correct imbalances in the flow of life energy – called chi or qi – to stimulate healing. Traditional Chinese medicine describes more than 2,000 acupuncture points or acupoints connected to 12 main energy channels. Acupressure, based on the same principles as acupuncture, uses gentle but deep hand pressure instead of needles to manipulate acupoints and associated energy channels.
3. Acupuncture and Acupressure: Studies Show
Early studies were small and of poor quality. A team of scientists published results of a rigorous meta-analysis of information from 29 high-quality acupuncture studies involving nearly 18,000 patients. They found that acupuncture effectively relieved pain in several chronic conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA). Another meta-analysis found that acupuncture was better at relieving OA knee pain than either standard care or exercise.
4. Chiropractic
In a 2015 Gallup poll of about 5,400 Americans, 60% believed chiropractic effectively treats neck and back pain. While chiropractors manipulate, or adjust, the spine to improve pain and mobility, the benefits may extend beyond the back. They use instruments and varying degrees of force to adjust misaligned joints, improve the relationship between the spine and nervous system, which they believe may positively affect how the rest of the body functions.
5. Chiropractic: Studies Show
A report issued by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found spinal manipulation is as effective as medication for low back pain. A British analysis of nearly 100 high-quality systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials found that manipulation was beneficial for acute and chronic low back pain, neck pain and knee OA. But people with active inflammation, a fused spine or osteoporosis in the spine or neck, shouldn't be treated with chiropractic therapy.
6. Massage
Massage is one of the most popular touch therapies; the number of Americans receiving therapeutic massage has nearly doubled, according to the National Institutes of Health. Dozens of massage techniques exist, ranging from gentle to intense, but almost all aim to ease stress and sore muscles. Some use it as a source of pampering, comfort and connection.
7. Massage: Studies Show
Studies show that moderate-pressure massage can lead to improved pain, stiffness, range of motion, hand grip strength and overall function in people with OA, RA and fibromyalgia. Researchers say massage seems to work by increasing circulation, bringing more nutrients to tissues. It also seems to lower production of the stress hormone cortisol, reduce heart rate and blood pressure and decrease anxiety.
8. Reiki
Energy medicine Reiki is a Japanese form of touch therapy based on the idea that healing energy transmitted through the hands of a practitioner can relieve stress and disease. Reiki has increased in popularity in the U.S. in recent years. Some hospitals, including the California Pacific Medical Center and University of Michigan hospitals offer it to their patients.
9. Reiki: Studies Show
Though there is little research to support it, many people say anecdotally that they experience good results with Reiki, including reduced pain, anxiety and depression and improved sleep. A 2015 review of seven studies of Reiki found the studies too small or dissimilar to compare but believed there was enough evidence to support further research.
10. Find a Practitioner
Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying new therapies, even touch therapies. To find a practitioner, look for ones who are certified in their profession, members of professional organizations and/or affiliated with a university or hospital system. Ask if they have experience treating your type of arthritis.
Complementary Therapies
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Expert Q&A: Physical and Touch Therapy for Arthritis-Related Nerve Pain

Complementary Therapies

Expert Q&A: Physical and Touch Therapy for Arthritis-Related Nerve Pain
A physical therapist outlines popular touch therapies and physical therapy techniques to manage neuropathy and nerve pain related to arthritis.
Read More
Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

Complementary Therapies

Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management
Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.
Read More
Track Your Health
Share your experience with arthritis to shape research and patient care for yourself and others.
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    Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available.

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    Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis.

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    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

Make a Donation

Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

Become a Member

Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.

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Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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  • Start a Live Yes! Connect Group
  • Be an Online Community Moderator
  • Local Leadership Board

Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

More About Partnerships

  • Partner with Us
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  • Let's Get a Grip On Arthritis
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