To get the arthritis pain relief you're seeking it's helpful to understand how arthritis works. Arthritic joints appear to be larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel worse the more they are used as the day progresses. Arthritis pain can be experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used.

Collagen is the essential protein in cartilage; it forms a mesh to give support and flexibility to the joint. The synovium is a membrane that surrounds the whole joint; it's filled with synovial fluid, a lubricating liquid that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage. The cartilage is slippery tissue that coats the ends of the bones.

Researchers report a higher incidence of osteoarthritis between parents and children or between siblings than between husbands and wives. 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. Aging cells may be a factor in the development of arthritis.

Some people swear by glucosamine and/or chondroitin and others say it didn't help at all. For snacks, choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless roasted nuts. If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important.

I found relief from my arthritis pain naturally by eating only living foods and you can do it too. I eat fruits, raw veggies, nuts and seeds. That's it! This is my secret for getting rid of arthritis pain forever.

Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know. Many have told me that going off dairy products and gluten containing foods relieved their arthritis pain entirely. If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment.

One natural approach is to consume foods that are known to help relieve arthritis pain or prevent arthritis. Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body.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.

For natural treatment for arthritis make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals.

For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls. Your body has 147 different joints that are in motion every day of your life. If weight is an issue, try to use exercises that will help you in losing weight such as walking.

Don't just sit there, keep moving. Fight arthritis through proper exercise! Exercise is good for joints affected by osteoarthritis.

For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly. Only you know which treatment option is best for you. If you're going to go the conventional treatment route and take medications, ask your pharmacist for drug inserts so you can read up on the drugs and understand any side effects or adverse reactions, before taking them.

Changing your diet to predominately fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight. 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. Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there.