There are more than a hundred kinds of arthritis, doctors say. Osteoarthritis is regarded as one of the most common of them all. So many people can suffer from it, ranging from athletes to the elderly. Because osteoarthritis can cause severe aching of the affected joints, those who have it tend to look for ways to deal with the symptoms effectively. Undergoing massage therapy for pain relief is something that a lot of osteoarthritis sufferers benefit from.

Osteoarthritis, put simply, is the wearing and tearing of the cartilage. The primary task of your cartilage is to enable you to use a joint without any trouble. If one of your joints has damaged cartilage, you can expect aching most especially whenever you carry out a physical activity.

The process of aging is one of the most common culprits. Definitely, the cartilage may disintegrate after so many years of keeping a joint out of harm's way. This is basically the reason why majority of those with osteoarthritis are individuals who are 60 or older.

It's very much possible for a person who is just 20 or 30 years old to end up suffering from osteoarthritis, too. So in other words, the problem is not exclusive to older people. Someone who is into sports may develop it due to a joint trauma or injury. An individual who engages in manual labor and tends to overuse some of his or her joints may also wind up complaining about osteoarthritis.

No matter the causative factor, there's something about osteoarthritis that remains constant, and it's the fact that it causes pain. It's also possible for the concerned joint to become inflamed. After staying in a fixed position for some time or upon waking up in the morning, stiffness may be encountered as well.

There are so many painkillers available for people who are bugged by osteoarthritis. Some of them are sold over the counter while others are prescribed by doctors. No matter the case, constantly taking these drugs is not a really a good idea. That's because they are known to come with an assortment of side effects. Some really common ones include stomachache, dizziness, nausea and ringing in the ears, which is referred to by doctors as tinnitus.

Some painkilling drugs may also cause stomach ulcers, throat swelling, high blood pressure, and kidney or liver damage. According to health experts, the side effects and risks tend to worsen the higher the dosage taken. Administering painkillers for several days may also cause more harm than good.

This is why a lot of individuals who are afflicted with osteoarthritis search for different approaches for the management of the symptoms. Some tried and tested effective home remedies are elevation, rest and ice compresses. Having massages is something that many prefer.

Massages provide impressive results as they help optimize circulation of blood to the affected joint. Such increases oxygen and nutrient supply, thus promoting cartilage healing. What's more, they assist in removing toxins and waste products from areas that are inflamed and aching. By means of massages, attaining much needed relief from the unfavorable symptoms of osteoarthritis is possible minus the intake of painkilling medications.