If you're reading this article, chances are you or someone you know is dealing with pain associated with arthritis. If that's the case,
then it's also likely that you've been scouring the web in search of ways to alleviate these sometimes debilitating symptoms. Even
though there is no cure for it, there are many ways of either minimizing the flare ups or even stopping them before the pain can escalate.

Let's go over some types of arthritis, the symptoms, and some effective tactical approaches to a more pain-free life. The two most common types
of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis doesn't involve inflammation, it's more of a degenerative joint disease. The weight
bearing joints in particular simply wear out over time. This type of arthritis doesn't just afflict older people, it can be common among athletes as well.
Baseball and tennis players (this sport is especially hard on the knees and elbows), golfers, pianists, and typists are susceptible to osteoarthritis
due to specific repetetive and straining movements. But this type of arthritis can also develope as a result of an injury or trauma to an area
which can ultimately cause the onset of osteoarthritis even years after the injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis whereby knuckles and joints are visibly inflammed and can in extreme cases
appear deformed. People who suffer from this type of insidious arthritis endure countless episodes and flare ups and painfully stiff joints.
It has been shown that rheumatoid arthritis is a related to lupus which is characterised as an auto immune disease where the body is
actually attacking itself.

Let us consider some proactive strategies that go beyond the conventional medicines and may likely increase their effectiveness as well.
Many people are turning to mineral supplements to strengthen and perhaps regenerate bones and bone cartilage. Deficiency of these minerals
can even lead to the eventual onset of arthritis. Some minerals that are linked to good bone health maintainence are: boron (a trace mineral),
of cource calcium (I prefer calcium citrate or coral calcium), magnesium (which balances calcium), zinc (which helps bone growth),
copper (which helps to strengthen connective tissue), germanium (an antioxidant that helps with pain relief), and sulfur (which helps
maintain ligaments, cartilage, collagen, and tendons). Some people swear by high quality liquid glucosamine and even use it for their pets
suffering from arthritis.

I like the idea of helpful foods in dealing with combating arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and also fish oil capsules have been shown
to be an effective anti inflammatory. Some of the fish that are high in these omega 3's include: striped bass, anchovies, bluefish, herring,
mackeral, sable, slamon, shark, sardines (eat the ones with the bones in for even more calcium), brook trout, and white tuna. Other inflammation
reducing foods include asparagus, garlic, onions, pineapple, and cabbage. There are also foods to avoid that aggravate inflammation. On your no no list,
put: eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, wheat and foods high in gluten, corn, beef, pork, eggs, dairy, fried foods, and sugary processed snacks.
This might seem like a long list at first, but finding substitutes after a while might not turn out to be that difficult and will be worth it too.

There's alot of helpful herbs in dealing with arthritis, too many to list here. Just to skim the surface, I'll mention celery seed. This spice and
seasoning conatins almost 2 dozen anti inflammatory compounds. Fresh ginger root, long known throughout Asia as being helpful to people
with both osteoarthrits and rheumatoid arthritis is readily available. It reduces inflammation by blocking cyclooxygenate or the cox enzyme which
kick starts joint swelling. In contrast to COX-2 medications (such as Celebrex and Ibuprofen), ginger root doesn't cause stomach irritation - but
actually protects the digestive tract by increasing the blood flow which serves to control stomach acid. Two other herbs containing anti inflammatory
properties which can be swallowed in capsule form or applied as a cream are Boswellia (also great for sprains and muscle strains) and Cayenne
pepper whose active ingredient is capsicum. Use this cream sparingly as there can be a slight stinging sensation. A bath with Epsom salts
has both anti inflammatory and anti arthritis compounds which can be absorbed through the skin. It also makes a very soothing and delightful bath.

A basic and common sense approach to everyday coping with arthritis is simply to protect your joints. By that I mean - don't remain in any one position
for an extended period of time. A ten minute stretching routine should be done every day to keep limber and warm up the muscles and tendons.
This will help to prevent muscles and tendons from becomming strained. Regular excercise can also reduce joint pain and stiffness. Excercising
in water can make your routine that much easier. I hope my research on this topic has provided some new insight and hope for you. If it has,
pass it along to someone else who could use the information. You can also have a peek at my site (see bio box) which further explores this topic.