All fat is made up of tiny essential fatty acids (EFAs). They are called essential because the body cannot produce them on its own, it must actually obtain them from the foods that you eat.

Joints are natural shock absorbers for the body and are cushioned by cartilage and supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments. In addition to osteoarthritis, the wear and tear of daily activity as well as injury, aging, obesity and repetitive motion places stress on joints and cause them to wear down. Often this results in joint pain. When joint pain occurs, nature offers several remedies, which can relieve and even eliminate such pain.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis or other inflammatory joint problems, you’ve probably been advised to take glucosamine and chondroitin. But this traditional combination doesn’t work for everyone.

Without them, the pain would be unbearable. The simplest tasks -- buttoning a shirt, buying groceries -- would be nearly impossible.

Researchers from Duke University show that back pain is usually caused by a person's immunity attacking the disc in the same way that it attacks invading germs, not by a broken disc pressing on a nerve (Arthritis & Rheumatism, July 2010).

Over the years, I’ve worked with many patients suffering with osteoarthritis (OA), and I hear the same story time and again. Doctor, I’ve been taking glucosamine and chondroitin, but they don’t seem to be helping!

Were you aware that scientific studies have proven that essential oils can be used to fight microbial infections and significantly reduce pain?

Dear Dr. Cutler,

My wife suffers terribly from joint pain caused by arthritis and must take strong pain medications to be able to function. But she and I both know that continuously taking pain meds could eventually cause serious health consequences and we would love to find some natural solutions to control the problem. Could you give us some ideas that might help?

Next time you’ve overdone things a bit…and you’ve got the muscle aches and pains to prove it… skip the ibuprofen or aspirin