Whether it's a bit a creaky stiffness in the hip, aching knees that make walking from room to room a chore, or inflammation that settles in several joints, arthritis knocks on just about everyone's door sooner or later. While there's no definitive cure for arthritis, there's no reason for you to spend your days sitting at home in an easy chair. You can take charge of your condition, control your symptoms, and get on with your life through a combination of medical care, simple lifestyle changes, and good old common sense. Arthritis For Dummies is for anyone who suffers from the various forms of arthritis or arthritic symptoms. In this easy-to-understand guide, you'll discover how to recognize the signs of arthritis, what the major causes are, who is most likely to get it, and what to expect from your doctor. Whether you have osteoarthritis (the most common form), rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, bursitis, scleroderma, or one of the other forms of the disease, you'll see how to: * Choose the right doctor for you * Recognize the myths and scams * Fight the pain with foods and supplements Oil your joints with exercise * Control your stress, aggression, and depression * Determine whether or not you need surgery Like the millions of others living with arthritis, you want to take an active part in managing your disease and improving day-to-day living. In this book, you'll find the most up-to-date information on the latest treatments from physical therapy and magnets to surgical and homeopathic options as well as hands-on diet and exercise plans that can help reduce your symptoms. You'll explore the best-of-the-best of many different healing systems, ranging from standard Western medicine to Eastern healing methods to more unconventional therapies, including: * Acupuncture * Aromatherapy * Ayurvedic medicine * Bee venom therapy * Folk medicine * Herbs and homeopathy * Hypnotherapy * Reflexology Featuring special sections on preventing arthritis, super foods for fighting symptoms, and ten crackerjack new treatments, as well as a handy weight loss and management guide, Arthritis For Dummies provides the step-by-step guidance you need to control your pain, keep yourself on the move, and improve your overall health and quality of life.