If you suffer from arthritis, you know just how debilitating it can be. Arthritis can lead to serious disability, and many people suffer without seeking help. However, there are many different arthritis relief products out there that can help anywhere from mild to severe arthritis sufferers. You could try treatments designed by homeopaths, treatments that include only the most natural of ingredients or you can opt to see a physician for a prescription medication.

If a doctor's visit isn't quite what you're after, you can check out your local drug store for over the counter medication to treat arthritis via tablets or creams. Over the counter pain killers like Aleve and aspirin are the most commonly used products for relief of arthritis pain, and they work well for anyone who is suffering mild to moderate discomfort. Typically these medications are taken either once or twice a day to give you 24 hour relief from your arthritis pain and stiff joints.

Another option besides oral medication that is available to arthritis sufferers without a prescription is a preparation that is rubbed into the skin around the site of arthritis pain. Ben Gay is a common example of a topical cream for pain relief which is applied to the area of pain or discomfort. You can usually put the cream on several times a day, which might be better than the pain killers that you can only take once or possibly twice a day. There's another benefit to using topical medications instead of oral medications. The creams usually start to work as soon as they're rubbed in, whereas with pills you may have to wait for quite a while before they travel through your system to help the pain.

Whichever over the counter medication you use for arthritis pain relief make sure that you talk to your doctor before taking it. Some people with liver problems cannot take strong pain killers, even over the counter medications. Another very good reason to contact your doctor before self treating is the possibility of drug interactions which could cause serious problems if an over the counter medication reacted badly with another medication you were already taking. To better your chances of things going smoothly, discuss your plans with your doctor before starting on any medication.

A great way to relieve arthritis pain naturally is through exercise. Exercising with a resistance strap or exercise ball can be beneficial, as well as using an elliptical machine or even a treadmill. These forms of exercise equipment are not so harsh on the joints, and can help improve movement in the joints as well as diminish your pain. Although it sounds easy and harmless enough, there will still be some people who are not good candidates for exercise, so it is wise to discuss this with your physician before starting. Your doctor might be able to suggest a different arthritis relief product that might be more suitable for your particular situation.