The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 53 million U.S. adults have arthritis, a number that overlaps with the almost 52 million American adults who live with chronic pain. 

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Muscolosketal and Skin Diseases,  “Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee… Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, redness, heat, and swelling in your joints.”  

Among almost 100 different types of arthritis, the most common is osteoarthritis, or OA, with debilitating symptoms which can worsen over time.  

Some of the famous actors, musicians and athletes who’ve talked about their OA include Neve Campbell, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Stewart, Caitlyn Jenner and more. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones says he doesn’t experience pain, though it’s changed his guitar technique. 

Richards and his band might be famously ageless, but less so is the prevalence of OA as people grow older, says the NIAMSD. Although younger people can also develop the condition, often as a result of joint injury or overuse. 

At the Arthritis Foundation, recommended treatments for OA pain may often start with a conservative approach to lifestyle changes, such as weight loss if you’re overweight, mild exercise to keep joints lubricated, and dietary changes to keep inflammation in check. 

Over the counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs, or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve, Motrin, Advil and aspirin can all help mask pain. Unfortunately, they don’t reduce the inflammation of swollen joints, and often have serious side effects. 

Natural Supplements that May Ease Joint Pain 

Beyond medications and lifestyle changes, there are several supplements being marketed to help relieve joint pain, without the side effects of these OTC medicines. While studies are limited, and results of the current studies show that not all supplements work for all people, the Arthritis Foundation says the following show promise: 

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements—both components of natural cartilage—have been widely promoted and used to treat OA pain. Studies in test tubes and laboratory animals have shown the two compounds may stimulate the production of new cartilage components, but whether that translates to stronger joint cartilage in people is unclear. 

In its 2019 OA treatment guidelines, the Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology gave a conditional recommendation of chondroitin sulfate for hand OA. Both supplements are available online, at pharmacies and health food stores without a prescription may help relieve pain, but users should be aware that results often take weeks or months. Both are considered safe, with no side effects, though they can interact with blood thinners, so you should always check with your doctor before starting them. 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says the evidence on glucosamine for OA pain is unclear, and chondroitin isn’t helpful, but that these supplements haven’t been shown to be harmful. That means that there isn't strong evidence that benefits outweigh risk, but the supplement could be helpful for people with OA. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, other natural treatments for the joint pain of osteoarthritis include acupuncture, which some studies have shown to relieve pain and improve function for knee osteoarthritis; and avocado-soybean unsaponifiables, a nutritional supplement with a mixture of avocado and soybean oils that’s widely used in Europe to treat knee and hip osteoarthritis. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, and some studies have shown that it can slow or even prevent joint damage.  

Other promising reports on supplements include a recent study reported in the Nutrients journal which showed that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids helped ease pain and improve joint function. Also, in 2020, the NIH reported on a review of studies on another natural supplement, Boswellia and Boswellia extract. The review “showed that Boswellia and its extract may be a novel drug for patients with OA.”