How to care for your joints naturally

Find a natural painkiller

Give sore joints a break without the side effects of painkillers and corticosteroids, by using essential fatty acids and the herbal remedy Devil's Claw.
● Fish oils are anti-inflammatory, but choose supplements carefully. Taking a supplement like Solgar's Omega 3 700 (£12 for 30, from health stores) daily is the equivalent to 15 cod liver oil supplements, according to nutritionist Paul Norwood.
● Celadrin is a strong form of fatty acid that's powerful enough to take when you would normally be reaching for the ibuprofen. It reduces pain and inflammation without the side effects of taking painkillers long term, such as stomach irritation and headaches. Try Solgar Celadrin and Glucosamine Complex (£28.95 for 60) - it's a good combination for pain relief that will also help to heal damaged tissue.
●  Devil's claw is the herbal equivalent to corticosteroids for joint pain and is safe to take long term. Use a licensed herbal medicine, such as A Vogel's Atrosan Devil's Claw tablets (£8.95 for 30, www.avogel.co.uk), which are specially coated to protect the active ingredients from stomach enzymes.

More to read: alternative pain remedies