Arthritis causes joint pain and discomfort primarily in people over 60 years of age, although it can actually afflict anyone. People suffering from arthritis are deprived of a chance of the normal enjoyment of life by chronic pain and the inability to sometimes perform the simplest tasks. When stricken with arthritis, freedom of movement is often impaired, adding to the misery of pain and inflammation. The two major forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system of the body begins attacking the cartilage of the joints, such as the knees, elbows, spine, or shoulders. Osteoarthritis results from a lifetime of wear on these joints. However, regardless of the cause, the results are the same – pain, inflammation, and restricted movement.

Most people will try to rely upon prescription or over-the-counter remedies to help treat their arthritis, but the best of these will do no more than provide a temporary relief from the symptoms. Another approach is to rely on the natural world to help to control arthritis. There are quite a few products available that can help anyone restore their health. In fact, glucosamine is found in our own bodies, and adding this element to your treatment of arthritis can help to build up the connective tissue in the joints. When arthritis hits, our bodies just cannot manufacture enough glucosamine to replace the cartilage that has been lost. Adding more glucosamine can help to keep joints healthy and mobile.

Indian frankincense has been shown to keep blood circulation to the joints at a high level, enabling the connective tissue and cartilage to remain healthy. When cold and damp weather has made the pain of arthritis worse, dulcamara can often help to alleviate the symptoms. Another herbal that can help to ease the pain of arthritis, especially that in the hips or knees, is devil’s claw. Knowledge of the properties of this plant have been known to the native people of the Kalahari Desert where it grows, and its value is just beginning to be appreciated by Western medicine.

Although a good deal of arthritis pain is of the steady, persistent kind, some of it is sharp, stabbing pains that occur when the person moves. For this kind of pain, berberis and bryonia are excellent.

Helping to keep the joints healthy and repairing damage to them is every bit as important as dealing with actual pain. The healthier the joints are, the less chance there is of experiencing pain or stiffness. Besides glucosamine, there are some other natural products that can help to keep the joints well nourished and strong. Symphytum and arnica are two herbals that can impact the joints positively. And, the benefits of nux vomica can also make the difference between discomfort and normal movement. Nus vomica has the ability to alleviate the ripping kind of pain that often accompanies arthritis, and can also help soothe the muscle spasms that can occur along with the pain.

There can be no denying that massaging the joint affected with arthritis can help to lessen the pain and increase mobility. To get the maximum benefit from massage, there are several oils that not only make massage easier, but also help the joint directly, in part because of their aromatic nature. Ginger essential oil is a very good choice for massaging arthritic joints – not only does it smell good, but it actually warms the area being massaged, and heat of any kind generally helps with arthritis pain. Circulation to the affected joint can also be increased with the use of peppermint oil and pine oil. Besides their direct medicinal benefits, these oils also impart a soothing odor, helping the sufferer to relax.

Taking advantage of natural and homeopathic treatments for arthritis can help anyone who suffers from this condition to lead a more normal and pain-free life.