If you or a member of your family suffers from arthritis, you'll find in searching for an arthritis pain relief solution, that there are a number of prescribed drugs and medications you can take to help you, along with alternative natural methods for relief.

And people are content to load themselves up with various pills and medicines if they think it will be the quick fix solution to their arthritis. The problem is, often they're not. Now, medicine that has been prescribed to you by your doctor will often help you, but be aware that with some medications there could be side effects, or you could even have an allergic reaction to them. People unfortunately think that just because a doctor prescribes something its automatically safe.

Everyday pain relief products give people a false sense of security.

More than 16,500 people die annually from these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Another 103,000 are hospitalized every year due to complications from products they probably bought at the grocery store.

The National Consumers League (NCL) finds that most Americans are under-informed on the dangers of over-the-counter pain relievers.

For example, one recent NCL survey founds that:

64% of those polled were unconcerned about possible side effects from NSAIDs (which include aspirin, ibuprofen and indomethacin).

Nearly one in three had never even read the instructions on the labels of these drugs. Consequently, too many consumers tend to self-diagnose and engage in risky self-treatment. This can lead to serious mistakes when seeking relief from all types of pain. Some negative results are high blood pressure, stomach and intestinal bleeding, ulcers, and kidney and liver problems.

Unfortunately, the experts say, they can make serious mistakes in what they use to combat arthritis pain, neck and shoulder pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, shingles, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, pinched nerves, tendinitis or muscle sprain.

These mistakes put them at risk for serious health problems.

The consequences range from high blood pressure to stomach and intestinal bleeding, ulcers, kidney and liver problems.

A category of medication frequently used for pain relief are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (or NSAID's), such as Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. But just because they're common, it doesn't mean they're good. In fact, a couple of these have been recalled due to them increasing the patients risk of stroke and heart attack with extended use.

Although some of these drugs are no doubt helpful, due to the likelihood of these adverse side effects, so patients are seeking more natural methods as a form of arthritis pain relief.

Usually people are more sceptical of such natural methods because their doctors either don't inform them of such alternatives or they just about ridicule their patients, when in fact natural methods of arthritis pain relief can give tremendous results.

Fish oils are a common natural arthritis pain reliever, specifically omega-3. Excellent sources of this include various fatty fish such as salmon, halibut and sardines. Other natural ingredients include anything high in zinc such as peas, wheat germ, and even oysters.

Other solutions for relief that you may not know about include yoga and massage therapy. Yoga is often effective for your limbs but is also good for blood circulation, which, if you are taking medication, allows your body to more effectively use it. But aside from medication, massage therapy is directly helpful at soothing stiff and aching joints.

Aromatherapy is also another often overlooked form of arthritis pain relief, and many people report it as very effective. Aromatherapy involves using essential oils and lotions that penetrate into the skin, helping to relieve the pain around your joints.

Overall, if you're concerned about or have even experienced side effects from using prescribed medication, there's definitely many forms of natural arthritis pain relief for you to try. You just need to take greater responsibilities for your health, even if you have doubts about it working. Ultimately, there's always less risk involved with natural methods so you just have to give them a fair chance.