What is joint pain? It is a stiff achy feeling that can often last all day, or days on end. Sometimes it can be in the knee or shoulder, and sometimes every joint in your body can ache.

What causes joint pain? Many people think of Arthritis when they hear about joint pain, but

Even though joint pain can be very bothersome is not always caused by arthritis.

Common causes of joint pain are strains and sprains, injuries such as fracture, over exertion or overuse, tendonitis, flu, and gout (this especially affects the big toe).

Infectious diseases such as Measles (rubeola), Hepatitis, Mumps, Rheumatic fever, Chickenpox, Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, Rubella (German measles), Osteomyelitis, and Chondromalacia patellae can also cause joint pain. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can be associated with very painful and crippling joint pain.

Eliminate Arthritis Pain Immediately

Osteoarthritis is common in those over 45 years old, and is caused by the degeneration of cartilage and growth of bone spurs. Degenerative arthritis is a very painful form of osteoarthritis often found in the neck or upper back area.

Bursitis is caused by an inflammation of the bursa, a sac that is filled with fluid, which cushions bony prominences, and allows muscles and tendons to move freely. Arthritis (inflammation of joints) and muscle pain, and Arthralgia (inflammation in one or more joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a great crippler. Exercise and diet are very important to those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise will make you more flexible and give you more endurance so that you can carry on with your daily activities.

Cardiovascular exercise is important for your overall health, weight control, muscle strength, and energy level. Low-impact conditioning programs, like walking or riding a stationary bicycle, are generally good options.

Sometimes medication can be the cause of joint pain either as a side effect, or as an allergic reaction.

No matter what causes your joint pain, it is very disruptive to everyday activities.

Get Rid of Arthritis Pain for Good

If you know that your joint pain is non-arthritic, warm baths, gentle exercise that includes stretching, and massage can bring relief. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help with joint pain. Be sure to consult you health care provider if you are unsure of which one is best for you, and never give NSAIDs (ibuprofen) or aspirin to children without their health care providers approval.

Swimming, bicycling, range-of-motion and aquatic exercises are low impact and are very beneficial to your cardiovascular fitness while being easy on the joints. Flexibility and strengthening exercises will help if you are experiencing joint pain and stiffness, or weakness that can interrupt your activities. They are also a good place to start when you have not been exercising. As always, please check with your health care professional before any exercise program.

If you are experiencing joint pain that is not accompanied by a fever, persists more than three days, an unplanned weight loss of more than ten pounds, or other unexplained symptoms, you should consult your physician immediately.

Some of the things you should expect when you go to see your health care provider are a medical history and a physical examination:

A series of diagnostic tests, which might include, joint x-ray, and blood studies -- CBC or blood differential.

Questions which may help you health care provider determine the cause of your joint pain such as: Which joint hurts, and is the pain on both sides, was the onset of the pain sudden and severe -- or slow and mild? Does the pain come and go, or is it persistent. How long have you been having this pain, and have you had it before? Is there a pattern to the pain? Have you injured your joint? Is the joint pain becoming more severe? Have you been ill, and run a fever? Does rest reduce the joint pain or make it worse? Does exercise or movement make the joint pain worse, or relieve some of the pain? Is this joint pain a recurring problem? Have you tried elevating the joint, and does this relieve the joint pain? Have massage or heat helped reduce the joint pain? Are you experiencing any numbness? Can you bend the joint, or does it feel stiff?

Your health care provider might prescribe some physical therapy, and you should always follow his orders about home care. If you do not like to take prescription drugs, and prefer a more natural approach to wellness, you might consider trying Arthritin.

Discover how to Immediately Eliminate Your Arthritis Pain -- once and for all -- with proven natural inflammation supplements for joint pain relief!