Arthritis can be a very painful debilitating disease. In this article we will discuss several natural treatments to help reduce or eliminate the pain caused by arthritis.

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints. However it can include the skin, internal organs, and other body parts. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gout are the most common forms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is often referred to as degenerative arthritis.

- Osteoarthritis: The body's natural reaction to disease is inflammation, which includes pain, stiffness, and swelling. These are the symptoms of osteoarthritis. If you continue to have inflammation over a long period of time, it might lead to tissue damage. It can cause stiffness and make it very difficult to move. Many people who have lower back pain are suffering from degenerative joint disease. This is when the cartilage, which covers the end of bones, wears away and allows the bones to rub together. This causes pain and swelling. Also, as you get older, the cartilage naturally degenerates.

- Rheumatoid: Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis in that the immune system attacks itself. This also causes swelling and can cause damage to the cartilage and bone.

- Gout: Our body's have a natural substance called uric acid. When our body can't eliminate the uric acid, we can get gout and needle-like crystals form in the joints. This also causes swelling and pain. The wrist, knee, and big toe are most affected by gout.

Even though there is no cure for arthritis, there are many methods to help eliminate and control the pain caused by arthritis. The most beneficial arthritis natural treatment is exercise. Building up the muscles around the afflicted joints helps to increase muscle strength and reduce the strain on joints. Ask your doctor for a list of stretching exercises that help increase mobility and muscle strength. Heat and cold compresses can also work well in keeping the pain under control. Some people use heat only, some cold only, and other use a combination of both. There are several over the counter dietary supplements that are available at any pharmacy. Glucosamine is a great supplement, but it is important to take it a full 30 days before you can expect to see any relief from pain. It can totally eliminate pain for some types of arthritis.

Arthritis natural treatment does not have any of the side effects that are in pharmaceutical drugs. However, there are some people that still need to use prescription drugs. You should always check with your doctor and follow his instructions.

Watch for signs of arthritis and go to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms. Early detection of arthritis is critical before it has a chance to cause major tissue damage. Once you know you have arthritis, keep the pain under control by using the methods described in this article. The number one method of controlling and/or eliminating pain is exercise and building muscle. The second method is heat and cold compresses. The third method is using glucosamine dietary supplements. Although there are many methods available, these are the top three methods that will give the pain relief you need.