For a doctor trying to identify arthritis is very difficult because there are so many different types. It is claimed there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Many doctors will look at history and also conduct several tests to determine if in fact arthritis is the cause of pain for a patient. Still’s disease, Septic, Rheumatoid, Osteoarthritis, and Psoriatic are just a few examples of different types of Arthritis. All types of Arthritis lead to some form of pain the amount and frequency depends on the location and type. Arthritis can affect many joints at once but most common arthritis only affects one joint. At first many people suffering with Arthritis will use various topical creams to try and alleviate the pain. But most realize that creams are temporary fixes to pain. People have reported tolerances being built on creams and also working for shorter periods of time after continual usage.

There are other forms of treatments besides topical creams. These treatments include physical therapy, increase in exercise, prescriptions, splinting, supplements, and surgery. Arthritis has had a long history with mankind and evidence has shown that physical therapy has had the most lasting effect on arthritis. The treatment should be determined once the doctor diagnoses exactly what type of Arthritis is plaguing the body.