Well, enlist your body's innate wisdom and some plain, old-fashioned good sense.

Implement the following 7 guidelines to cope with one of the most frequent causes for pain complaints - osteoarthritis.

1) LISTEN - Pain is your body's way of sending you a message. An escalation of minor joint aches and stiffness just may be the signal to check out whether osteoarthritis is paying you a visit. A discussion at the doctor's office is in order for more insight.

2) NOURISH - Eat wisely. Basic rule of thumb: The more weight your carry, the more strain on your weight-bearing joints.

A healthy, joint-preserving diet also means awareness of otherwise healthy foods that may cause joint inflammation: foods like tomatoes, citrus, caffeine, sodas, additives and other seemingly unrelated foods like red meat and potatoes. Inflammation increases pain.

Keeping a food diary is helpful in determining which food may be your nemesis.

3) EXERCISE - No, don't buy a Bowflex system! Olympic training is not what your body needs. Check with your doctor before undertaking any exercise program, but some gentle stretching and strengthening to mobilize the joints is helpful.

It will alleviate some pain, boost range of motion and release endorphins as well. Joints are supported with increased muscle strength.

Your doctor might also recommend a short course of physical therapy to get you started with a customized home program.

4) RELIEVE - Chemical intervention is an option for almost everyone. Ah, but which chemical? Your physician certainly may recommend the usual anti-inflammatory drugs.

You know that's part of his job. And, part of your responsibility as owner of this body that you call 'home', is to discuss with him other natural alternatives available to you.

An informed patient usually forces the doctor to halt the 'assembly line appointment'. And if you keep talking, the doctor can't walk out - until he listens to your concerns about side effects, interactions. or natural options - That, too, is part of his job - Hippocrates says so!

5) ABSTAIN - Stop groaning! Your joints are depending on you! Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoke are stresses to your body, all of it.

Stress leads to a heightened experience of osteoarthritis pain - just what you want to avoid. Remember that expression, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."

6) TEMPER - That sounds funny. But here's what it means for your pain. Pain has a 'temperature'.

For some people, pain raises the temperature of the painful area by 1/2 of one degree. For others, it lowers the temperature by 1/2 of one degree.

So, you get to determine whether an ice pack or a moist-heat pad will settle your joint pain. A doctor or physical therapist may also give more specific advice on this hot/cold treatment to reduce pain.

7) INDULGE - At last, here comes the 'good' stuff! Relax! Yes, that seems easier 'said' than 'done'. But relaxing reduces stress which relieves pain. And that's a good thing!

There are many choices available to you that will enhance relaxation. For instance, you can try yoga, not just as exercise, but as a relaxation technique.

Some people find that acupuncture, or acupressure, a close cousin, gives them pain relief along with relaxation.

Best of all, get a massage from a trained massage therapist. All of these options result in a decrease of muscle tension, release of endorphins and the relief of osteoarthritis pain.

Use these 7 suggestions as a starting point for your survival plan for osteoarthritis. Initiate your own plan to deal with this all too common ailment. Take control of your pain relief program and start feeling better.