With about 70 million people affected with joint pain in the U.S. alone, more and more sufferers are looking for effective means of achieving joint pain relief. Joint pain can be caused by many factors such as old age, hereditary conditions, diseases and neglect. Determining what causes your joint pain is essential because if the pain is not properly addressed, more importantly if a serious disease has brought about the pain, certain complications can arise. This will lead to more pain and discomfort for the sufferer.

There are many factors which can cause joint pain. Some of the less complicated conditions associated with pain of the joints include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and it occurs when the protective cartilage which covers the bones wears and tears away. This can then lead to the rubbing of the bones together. Because of the friction, pain and swelling is induced and it worsens when the cartilage is further damaged. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic joint condition which is less common than osteoarthritis. It is autoimmune in nature because the body's immune function causes the joint to swell and causes inflammation that can eventually spread to the other tissues. The last one, which is gout, affects the knees, toes and wrists and has something to do with the uric acid deposit build-up. This can bring forth the formation of needle like crystals and can be very painful for the joints.

For basic joint pain relief NSAID also known as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, glucosamine, chondroitin, and others are prescribed by doctors. For other treatment options, physical therapy, orthopedic bracing, changes in lifestyle, joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty are just some of the means used in helping sufferers to live and lead a quality life.

But some medications when in excess can bring forth many complications especially for the kidneys. Also, some people don't get the relief they wanted from these drugs. Others dread the long term effect of synthetic drugs for their health and so, they resort to alternative and natural medications to manage joint pain.

For one, acupuncture has benefited millions of people all over the world. Acupuncture can work for other chronic pain diseases as well. It works by the principle of targeting body areas to release good body chemicals that can combat pain. Also, it has been suggested that acupuncture shuts off pain receptors in the body.

Vitamin c is also essential in pain management. Vitamin c protects the joints from more adverse effects brought about by the wear and tear subjected to the joints. It also plays an important role in the production of bone and cartilage.

If you would like to shift to the alternative means of achieving joint pain relief, be sure to consult your physician regarding your plans. Your physician can advice you if discontinuing certain medications can be detrimental for you. Also, you cannot be sure if taking medications and herbal supplements at the same time can result to chemical reactions that can be poisonous for you.