Easing joint pain from osteoarthritis is all about trying different treatments to find what works best for YOU. If you're looking for immediate soothing, icing an inflammed joint for 20 minutes -not more-can reduce swelling and ease discomfort. And for stiffness, heat can loosen tight muscles and tissues around a sore joint. You can also get temporary relief of mild or moderate pain with topical creams and gels. Use them on joints closest to the surface of your skin-like those in your hands and feet. Topical creams and gels usually come with one of three pain-suppressing active ingredients. [show ingredient names on screen]Salicylate: This is the same pain fighting substance as aspirin. Menthol: Menthol creates a warm/cold sensation that lessens your ability to feel pain. and Capsaicin: It stops your nerve cells from sending pain signals. If creams don't work, try an over-the-counter oral medication. If your joint is inflamed, swollen or tender, go with an aspirin, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can soothe pain, but it will NOT reduce inflammation If none of these options work, talk to your doctor about cortisone injections. Cortisone injections have been used for over 60 years to help reduce swelling and stop pain. And injections of hyaluronic acid are effective in easing joint pain in knees, To learn more about what causes joint pain, check out the rest of the videos in this series.