As With all illnesses, it is recognised that all illness begins in the mind.

There are actually over 100 recognised forms of arthritis, most people however are affected by arthritis have one or two common types from the most common osteoparthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Secondary arthritis in relation to sports injuries and more on this page:

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It usually starts mostly in the fifties age group with discomfort and pain, stiffness in the joints. Slightly more women than men get osteoarthritis. It does not usually cause severe disability but in some cases it can cause serious damage requiring joint replacement and early diagnosis and treatment is essential. Treatments range from surgeries to cortisone injections, pain medications. Natural treatments involve diet, exercise and a healthy self responsibility.

This form of arthritis begins when the body fails to assimilate and provide sufficient calcium for normal metabolic function. This causes the body to leach calcium from the bones, causing a weakening of the bones. This robbing of calcium is usually in excess and the body then stores this spare calcium in the joints, creating problems. To get sufficient calcium to metabolise in the body, it is important to provide a range of essential trace minerals such as boron. Eating extra dairy products has never been proved to help, nor have calcium supplements in isolation without a broad spectrum mineral supplement to assist assimilation. More

Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs most often between the ages of 20 and 55. Three times as many women as men are affected. If not properly treated, rheumatoid inflammation can progressively damage joints and cause joint deformities. Almost any joint can be affected. The most common are the elbows, wrists, fingers, feet and knees. Treatments range from simply taking asprin, see alternative treatments.

In sport, arthritis develops as a result of injuries, it is generally referred to as "secondary" osteoarthritis. That means the deterioration of the cartilage was caused by a traumatic injury to begin with. As a general rule, it takes years after the injury to develop. More Information

Some Other Types of Arthritis Include: gout, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis and scleroderma. Arthritis can also be associated with conditions such as accidental or sports injuries to muscles, bones and joints, backache, sciatica, lumbago, whiplash injury and fibromyalgia. Arthritis is a painful and unpredictable dis-ease and sometimes lead to other health problems.

While anyone can be affected by arthritis at any stage of life, there are four groups especially at risk: sports people, women, children, older people.

More women than men get arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. It is thought that the body is depleted of resources through childbirth and raising. This tends to begin in young or middle-aged women. The pain and fatigue can lead to anger and doubts about coping with the demands of family life and career. Primary treatment is with diet and adequate nutrition.

Many people are affected by arthritis as they grow older. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a reasonable weight are important to help prevent loss of mobility. Injuries from contact sports are more likely to lead to arthritis.

Possible symptoms to watch for are:

• Swelling in one or more joints.
• Early morning stiffness for more than a few minutes.
• Recurring pain or tenderness in a joint or reduced movement.
• Obvious redness or warmth in a joint.
• Unexplained weight loss, fever or weakness combined with joint pain.
• If you or your child has these symptoms for more than two weeks, you should see your naturopath or doctor.