Maintaining your overall health is the most powerful way to deal with arthritis. The body operates as one efficient machine and if one of its parts goes awry, then a number of other problems can emerge. For instance, if you fail to properly stretch and warm-up before your friendly tennis match, you could sustain an injury to your elbow. This injury could then develop into arthritis or bursitis.

Your arthritic elbow, if ignored or not properly treated, could lead to tendon, ligament, and/or muscle damage around the affected area. It could also create favorable conditions for bacterial or viral infection, which then affects the rest of the body. Every part of the body is linked and everything you put into your body has an effect, both short and long-term.

Preventing Arthritis

Preventing arthritis is far easier than getting rid of arthritis. For many of you, arthritis will sprout up in your joints because of your genetic make-up. If arthritis runs in your family, look into all the natural supplements you can take to ward it off--MSM, emu oil, and glucosamine to name a few. Even if you aren't prone to develop arthritis, you should consider adding one or more of these supplements to your diet.

Be responsible with your body and your body will most likely reward you with healthy bones, lots of energy, healthy joints, and little pain. What you put into your body will affect how it functions. The respect you give your muscles and joints will affect how long you're able to enjoy physical activity. Live life fully, but live it responsibly. When you're in pain, it's hard to have fun.