<p>I’ve been having pain in my knee, and my doctor thinks it’s arthritis. What can I do to ease the pain? And, is there anything I can use to prevent it?</p>

The wear and tear of living on a planet with gravity affects all of us. The longer we’ve been walking around, the more likely we are to suffer with occasional pain in our joints. I am assuming that your medical doctor has performed an adequate evaluation to rule out specific types of arthritis or a herniated disc that may require more specific medical intervention. Assuming you are dealing with the common degenerative arthritis that most people face, you will normally experience periods of relative comfort, alternating with times of worsening. Usually an exacerbation of discomfort occurs as a result of not being sensitive to your body and overdoing an activity that aggravates the pain. Performing a regular set of stretching exercises at least twice daily can be the best preventive medicine. Be certain to do your stretching in a warm environment to avoid muscle strains that will add to your discomfort. Find a local yoga instructor or physical therapist and develop a simple set of stretches that you can do on your own at your own pace on a daily basis.

Because there is invariably some inflammatory factor in arthritis, most medical and holistic approaches focus on ways to reduce the inflammation. Many of our body’s potent natural inflammatory chemicals are derived from nutritional components, and there has been a growing body of information to suggest that inflammation can be modulated through dietary changes. We know that n-3 polyunsaturated (omega-3) fatty acids may tip the balance of chemicals in favor of anti-inflammatory effects. These fatty acids are most abundant in cold water fish , flax seeds and walnuts.

Several studies have suggested that favoring a primarily vegetarian diet can help arthritis sufferers. Part of the benefit may be the effect of vegetables on the population of bacteria in our colon. Changing the food we eat alters the bacteria that live in our bowels, which changes the composition of fatty acids that are made and absorbed. A diet rich in antioxidant vitamins including beta-carotene, tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) may also be helpful. The best way to insure adequate antioxidant intake is through a high fiber, low fat diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Supplementing with an antioxidant formula that includes a minimum of 15,000 units of beta-carotene, 200 IU of E and 1 gram of vitamin C is worth a try for a couple of months to see if you notice a clear benefit.

Be careful not to get caught in the negative cycle of gaining weight because you are inactive due to the pain which is worsened by the extra pounds you are carrying. Focusing on a balanced diet and staying with a regular exercise program is essential.

For several years, studies have suggested that glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may be helpful in reducing arthritis pain. The most recent report published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month did not find these chemicals, derived from animal cartilage or crustacean shells, were better overall than placebo for people with arthritis, but may be effective in those with moderate to severe knee pain.

In Ayurveda, the herb Commiphora mukul has been classically used for arthritis pain. Derived from a resin, it also lowers cholesterol. Known as guggulu, it is now widely available and is worth a try at 300 milligrams three to four times a day. Another Ayurvedic herb with anti-arthritis effects is Boswellia serrata. Derived from the tree that gives us Frankincense, it seems to blunt the production of certain inflammatory chemicals known as leukotreines. It is also readily available in the United States and can be tried at a dose of 300 milligrams three times daily.

Pay attention to the simple basics to prevent your pain flare-ups. Get enough rest, eat right, stay on a regular exercise program, and listen to your body’s signals when it is whispering so it doesn’t have to shout at you to get your attention.