Arthritis pain can be experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Damaged joints cause pain and sufferers are constantly looking for ways to relieve the pain. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but it decreases with age.

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. Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. One possible cause of arthritis is the inflammatory response due to the over-reaction of the immune system to an injury or other assault in the body, like an infection.

Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, that no one supplement can relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc. For natural treatment for arthritis make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals.

Supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 -- the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and has to be sub-lingual -- dissolves slowly under the tongue; and vitamin D3 especially if you can't get a daily dose of 15-20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3.

One natural approach is to consume foods that are known to help relieve arthritis pain or prevent arthritis. The first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet; I think all experts would agree on this. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it's clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; has to the tart kind though.

Many arthritis sufferers have changed their diets and noticed significant or total improvement. Gluten may be a culprit in arthritic diseases including fibromyalgia; avoid wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut and oats (although not a gluten grain it gets contaminated at the wheat mills).

If weight is an issue, try to use exercises that will help you in losing weight such as walking. Use Taiji health balls, with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints: hold two balls, move in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try counterclockwise and do throughout the day. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. To be on the safe side always seek your doctor's advice before starting or changing your exercise program.

Sign up for water aerobics classes at your local community center. Putting on a pair of stretch gloves at bedtime can help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers, for those with arthritic hands. Even if you don't think you can exercise, you can do some movements.

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. Let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other drugs, herbs or other supplements you're taking, to ward off any adverse drug reactions that might occur from the combining of different drugs or supplements. For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly.

Changing your diet to predominately fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight. Stopping the progress of your arthritis as well as stopping your pain should be your number one goal. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don't object to patients trying them.