In osteoarthritis, any one or more affected joints experience a progressive loss of cartilage, which is the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones. Arthritis pain can be experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.

The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age. The joints are designed to provide flexibility, support, stability, and protection. The cartilage is slippery tissue that coats the ends of the bones.

Researchers report a higher incidence of osteoarthritis between parents and children or between siblings than between husbands and wives. Injuries sometimes can be the start in the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later even after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint.

It's generally thought that inflammation plays a minor role in osteoarthritis and is more likely to be a result, not a cause, of arthritis.

With natural treatments there will be fewer, if any, side effects or adverse reactions. I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; has to the tart kind though. For snacks, choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless roasted nuts.

The first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet; I think all experts would agree on this. Keep in mind, if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things -- build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain, and enhance your flexibility and movement.

A study in Great Britain touted the beneficial effects of cod liver oil on osteoarthritis; relieving pain and stiffness, and reversing the destruction of joint cartilage within 24 hours.

If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important. Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost -- no one will ever know.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. Some people swear by glucosamine and/or chondroitin and others say it didn't help at all.

If weight is an issue, try to use exercises that will help you in losing weight such as walking. Keep a bedside basket of arthritic aids for arthritic hands (theraputty, hand grips, Taiji chime balls, etc.) to be used at bedtime or while watching television. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. Don't just sit there, keep moving.

Whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk. A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and arthritis pain. It's helpful at bedtime to put on a pair of stretch gloves to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers, if you have arthritic hands.

Only you know which treatment option is best for you. If you're planning to take any of the non-prescription NSAIDS for arthritis, make sure you understand what bad effects they can have on the stomach, liver and/or kidneys and discuss this with your doctor.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both.

The biggest secret to arthritis pain relief is to change your diet now; eat foods that are alive. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don't object to patients trying them. Once you understand the facts about arthritis, possible causes and treatment approaches you can take, you'll be on your way to recovery and pain will disappear.