Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting eight out of ten people aged over 50. It cannot be cured but osteoarthritis care is available to help slow its progression and ease the symptoms.

Osteoarthritis develops gradually over a period of many years and can occur in several different joints. Knee pain or pain in the hips are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis, as it tends to affect the large joints that are used as part of everyday life. The pain, if left untreated, can affect mobility and restrict the ability to live a normal life.

Several factors play into the development of osteoarthritis, the majority of which cannot be prevented. Age and gender are important as those most likely to suffer from the condition tend to be women over the age of 50. Obesity can also cause osteoarthritis, as carrying extra weight puts extra pressure on joints, leading to knee pain and even pain in the spine.

So what osteoarthritis care is available to those who suffer? Well along with the usual medications and surgery that doctors will discuss, there is much that you can do – for free – to relieve the pain and reduce the stain on your joints.

Most importantly, is to maintain an ideal weight. This can be done through a mixture of healthy eating and exercise. The exercise doesn’t need to be high impact, but it does need to be regular – walking every day, swimming or low impact sports like tennis are all good ways to keep fit without putting extra pressure on those joints.

Massaging the muscles around your joints can also help relieve hip and knee pain; use some deep heat or relaxing oils to really relax the muscles and keep you flexible. Other ways to reduce the stress and pressure on the joints and keep the muscles supple include wearing thick-soled shoes, which will absorb the impact of your walk and reduce jarring on the joints. Walking sticks are also beneficial as they reduce the weight your joints have to carry