Joint pain is the most common symptom of arthritis so the cure for this symptom is the most sought after. Millions of people suffer from this crippling disease, and it can affect you at any age. Anyone from children to pensioners can suffer from arthritis, and pain relief is an essential part of living with it.

Sufferers will bear different degrees of pain, and can suffer from the pain on different parts of their bodies. If you suffer from arthritis in your hands then you can only imagine what the pain is like for someone who is suffering with this debilitating disease over their entire body. The pain can be dull, and in extreme cases it will be very sharp.

Arthritis is a disease that mainly attacks the joints of the bones. The worst thing is, it is still unknown what actually causes this disease. Many people have their suspicions of viruses and bacteria causing the inflammation in the joints, but nothing has been proven yet.

This inflammation of the joints can lead to destruction of the cartilage between the bones. This will cause deformity in the joints which is commonly recognised in the finger joints of a sufferer.

You will need to see your doctor for a correct diagnosis of arthritis as other diseases and conditions are similar. If you are suffering from joint pain in many areas of your body it makes it easier to diagnose. It's when you only suffer from pain in a few joints that it becomes difficult, and further tests are then needed to rule out any other conditions such as gout, or just an infection of the joints.

You'll find many drug companies online stating that they have the next wonder drug that will cure the pain of your arthritis, but in the past these companies have caused more harm than good.

The simple aspirin pill is the most effective form of pain relief for arthritis, and is by for the most commonly used relief from the pain of joint inflammation.

Many natural alternatives of pain relief are getting more attention now because of the side effects of drugs on the body. If you're suffering from any disease for the rest of your life then any long term drug use can and will have an effect on your body.

Herbs such as Cat's Claw have gotten more attention lately because of it's anti-inflammatory properties. This reduces the need to take any drugs, and for some patients it has become an effective part of their pain relief.

Herbs are trial and error at the moment because they have a different level of effectiveness on different people, but in the end they don't cost anywhere near as much as useless or dangerous drugs.

Doctors and herbalists will continue to look for ways to cure the pain and symptoms or arthritis which is only a good thing for sufferers. Maybe one day they will discover an effective cure for everyone.