Support Groups and Counseling

Minimizing emotional stress can help improve the overall health of the patient with arthritis. Support and extracurricular groups afford patients time to discuss their problems with others and learn more about their illness.

The Arthritis Foundation is the only national voluntary health organization whose purpose is directed solely to all forms of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has national and international programs involving support for scientific research, public information and education for affected patients and their families, training of specialists, public awareness, and local community assistance. Local branch chapters of the Arthritis Foundation serve to disseminate information about arthritis and rheumatic diseases as well as functioning as referral centers. Moreover, many of the various forms of arthritis have their own foundations that serve as information and referral resources for local communities.

Patients and families should ask their health-care practitioners for additional local support group and counseling options.

For More Information

Arthritis Today Magazine

Web Links

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

American College of Rheumatology

Arthritis Foundation

Synonyms and Keywords

joint disorder, joint pain, joint inflammation, arthralgia, rheumatic diseases, joint disease, inflammation of the joints, joint stiffness, joint swelling, joint redness, joint warmth, inflamed joint, joint deformity, rheumatic illness, rheumatic conditions, arthropathy, osteoarthritis, arthritis medications, rheumatoid warning signs

Author and Editor

Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor, eMedicineHealth.com

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