Many people live with joint pain on a regular basis and just assume they're getting arthritis, but not all joint pain is caused by arthritis, and not all joint pain (or arthritis) is treated in the same way.

Joint pain is the most common known symptom of arthritis. The pain can be mild to severe, and is generally persistent. While it may be worse when you stand, walk, run or perform other activities, this doesn't mean it goes away when you're resting.

Some arthritis causes bones to actually build up. This causes pain, but will also begin to deform your joints, particularly if it's in the fingers and hands. You may notice hard lumps start to grow on the sides of fingers or other affected joints.
Another common symptom of arthritis is the loss of range of motion. You may not be able to bend a joint as far as you used to because of pain or swelling. While minor loss of range of motion can be mildly annoying, if they symptoms get worse it can begin to affect your daily life and activities.

While many people can treat minor arthritis with over-the-counter medication, you should still see a physician to make sure it isn't something more serious. They can also help recommend what kind of medication or other therapy would be best for your specific case.

Simply living with arthritis is not something you have to do. While arthritis is not curable, there are many treatments to manage the pain, as well as slow progression and treat the underlying cause of the problem.While many people can treat minor arthritis with over-the-counter medication, you should still see a physician to make sure it isn't something more serious. They can also help recommend what kind of medication or other therapy would be best for your specific case.