Rest to give injured tissues time to heal. Start a moderate exercise program to alleviate the pain and inhibit further deterioration by strengthening the surrounding bones, muscles and ligaments. Also, if you are overweight, exercising will help drop the extra pounds that are, no doubt, putting more stress on your joints. Heat or cold therapies may help alleviate the pain and inflammation. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes called for.
Acupressure can sometimes relieve the pain as can massage or chiropractic treatment.
Surgery is also an option for those suffering from severe arthritis. Damaged connective tissue in the joint is removed to allow new, healthy tissue to grow in its place. Sometimes the entire joint is replaced with an artificial one. If they are present, you have rheumatoid arthritis. Note that there is no real cure for rheumatoid arthritis, though symptoms can be alleviated in most individuals if treated aggressively.