Our most delicate joints are our fingers and yet they're the ones we use the most! Our hands have 29 bones, from fingers to wrists, and come together to form many small joints. We make these joints work non-stop from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep.

This is why it can be so devastating to live with finger and hand pain from day-to-day. According to the Arthritis Foundation, about half of all women and one-quarter of all men will experience the stiffness and pain of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hands by the time they are 85 years old.

There are more than 100 forms of arthritis. One of the most common types is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects joint cartilage and bones, causing pain and stiffness. It often affects the hip, knee, and thumb, and finger joints

There is a common myth that there is no treatment for Arthritis, but there are actually many ways to help ease the pain of arthritis. Diet, exercise, natural remedies and medications can all help.

Arthritis in Hands & Fingers: What to Look for

• Pain in some or all of your joints
• Numbness and/or stiffness in your fingers
• Red, swollen or even warm joints
• Bony ‘knobs’ on your fingers

The most frequently affected joints in the hands are:

• The base of the thumb, where the thumb and wrist come together
• The joint closest to the fingertip
• The middle joint of a finger

People with OA often develop lumps or nodes around the knuckles. These lumps are called Heberden’s nodes are the ones found in the knuckles closest to the fingertips; Bouchard’s nodes  are the lumps found in the middle knuckle. These nodes are essentially bone spurs–projections that develop along bone edges, often where bones meet each other in the joints.

Topical Remedies for Arthritis Relief

Since OA is a local condition, meaning it affects specific joints, a naturally-derived topical product offers a great remedy, allowing you to rub it in right where the pain is located.

Depending on your type of arthritis, a cooling topical treatment may be for you. Learn about soothing ingredients Wintergreen, Camphor, and Menthol.

Read about Arthritis Relief & Capsaicin >

Reducing Strain & Hand Exercises

Because arthritis can cause the synovial lining to swell, fluid can accumulate, causing the fluid to not get where it should–to lubricate your joints. By exercising, you help circulate the fluid.

Squeeze, Grip, Pinch an exercise ball: Hold a soft exercise ball in your hand an squeeze it for a couple of seconds and then release. Repeat 10-12 times and switch hands.

Finger lifts: Place your hand flat on a table, palm down. Lift one finger from the table at a time very gentle and return the finger to the table top. Do each finger in order and then repeat 10-12 times and switch hands.

Claw stretch: Curl all your fingers toward your palm and attempt to touch your finger tips to the base of your finger. Your hand will look like a claw in this position. Hold the claw for about a minute and repeat 4-5 times. You can do both hands at once.

Open and close your hands into fists: Gently make a fist (with your thumb on the outside) and then open your hands fully stretched with straight fingers. Repeat 10-12 times.

Finger stretches: One by one, gently close each finger toward the center of your palm, hold the finger there for a moment. Start with your thumb and do each finger 2-3 times.

CBD And Arthritis Relief

According to the Arthritis Foundation, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some people with arthritis who use CBD report noticeable pain relief, improved sleep, or reduced anxiety.

Some studies in animals suggest that CBD could help treat arthritis and relieve the associated inflammatory pain. For example:

• A 2017 study found that CBD might be a safe and useful treatment option for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
• A 2016 study found that the topical application of CBD had the potential to relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
• A 2014 review of the existing body of research on animals concluded that CBD may be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
• A 2011 study found that CBD helped reduce inflammatory pain in rats by affecting the way that pain receptors respond to stimuli.