Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects joints in a different way depending on their location in the body, causing various symptoms. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

There's a little-known natural solution to curing oneself of arthritis pain that I discovered several years ago. I know the secret to getting rid of arthritis pain and it's not taking drugs.

Joints are designed for normal and painless movement and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage. The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age. Cartilage contains chondrocytes, water, proteoglycans and collagen; chondrocytes are the basic cartilage cells and are necessary for balance and function.

The cause of arthritis (osteoarthritis) and the factors leading to the deterioration of cartilage in osteoarthritis is still not understood. 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.

As chondrocytes (the cells that make up cartilage) age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. 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).

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.

Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food.

Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.

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.

I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; has to the tart kind though.

I eat a diet of living foods (fruits, raw veggies, raw nuts and raw seeds) to relieve my arthritis pain and this should be tried for at least 30 days, thus eliminating any foods that might be culprits.

A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and arthritis pain. Exercise is good for joints affected by osteoarthritis. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls. Don't just sit there, keep moving.

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. Whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

Drugs commonly used for arthritis pain can cause ulcers, heart disease and liver or kidney damage. 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. 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.

Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. I got rid of my arthritis pain years ago when I stopped eating dead food and changed my diet to all living foods; you can do it too.