Osteo arthritis is a degenerative disease, where the cartilage which cushions the joints slowly degenerates and the bones begin to rub together. The pain caused by the damaged cartilage or the bones rubbing together is one of the leading causes of disability. Osteo arthritis pain can affect any joint of the body but occurs especially in the fingers, knees, hips and shoulders.

Osteo arthritis progresses with age, but can also be caused by injury or muscle imbalances with in the body. If the osteo arthritis is caused by an injury or muscle imbalance, early treatment can slow its onset. Osteo arthritis pain relief may help with the symptoms but there is currently no product on the market that will completely reverse the disease.

When a person first finds out about osteo arthritis, lifestyle changes ? such as refraining from activities with aggravate the condition ? may be required.

Strong Muscles Can Help Joint Strength

Doing gentle muscle building exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the afflicted joint, taking weight off the grinding bones. Another advantage of weight exercises which many don't know is that they are also a great way to keep the muscles flexible, provided you lift the weight through a full range of movement. This also helps the joint affected by osteo arthritis. Bear in mind that you should check with your doctor before you begin any exercise and you should do everything with controlled, slow movements.

Heat and Cold

You can also apply hot packs or cold packs to your joints afflicted with osteo arthritis to aid in relieving the pain. This is especially useful in the early stages of the disease. However, in later stages you will likely need anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs.

Natural Arthritis Relief

Not everyone is comfortable in taking lots of medication to relive their osteo arthritis pain due to long term side effects. There are a number of natural alternatives available which help provide relief.

One such natural arthritis relief is magnetic therapy. This therapy dates back thousands of year to China, where magnetic stones where used to treat health problems. Today, there are bracelets, earrings, mattress covers and pillows that can help relieve your arthritis pain by increasing blood flow to your joints.

There are also a number of herbal products available. These herbs typically have anti-inflammatory properties and provide pain relief. A starting point for investigating arthritis pain relieving herbs would be the herbs Alfalfa, Black Cohosh, Boswellia and Feverfew.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar which is found in the body and which stimulates the production of cartilage while protecting against its degeneration. As it is a natural product, there is no side effect and can help to protect cartilage and increase joint mobility.

Finally, a new product is emerging as an effective arthritis pain treatment. Emu oil has been used for hundreds of years by Australian Aborigines to treat muscle and joint pain. It is a highly potent anti-inflammatory oil which contains Omega 9, 3 and 6, and essential fatty oil. Several studies have shown that emu oil is effective in reducing arthritis pain.