The scientific research pertaining to alternative or complementary/natural arthritis treatments is truly extensive. For some of the more common arthritis treatments such as glucosamine and chondroitin, there are over 200 separate studies attesting to their effectiveness. No longer do you have to rely on third-party, outdated or unreliable information; many people choose alternative medicine as a result of hearing or reading the uses of botanical medicine/herbs or supplements or as a result of experiences heard from family members, friends or co-workers. Anyone who says that alternative medicine or supplements have not been tested or researched has not done their research. For example, in the National Library of Congress there are over 300 different scientific papers on the effects of glucosamine on arthritis in humans and animals.
So how do you treat osteoarthritis?
First examine your diet and your hydration levels; how much water do you drink? A simple equation you can use to establish how much water you should drink is half of your body weight in ounces. For example a 200 lb. person should drink 100 ounces of reverse osmosis water per day, on an empty stomach.

Over 95% of all arthritis patients are dehydrated and have a poor diet, low in essential fatty acids and high in acidic forming foods. Fundamental changes in hydration and diet can have great consequences, dramatically increasing overall health and reducing many of the arthritic symptoms. The great news is that you can also rebuild your damaged joints and reduce overall inflammation throughout the system with the addition of simple supplements designed to speed repair and normalize function of the body. The human body is designed to repair itself if given the proper nutrients.
The supplements that will help arthritis include;
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Omega 3 oils
• Devils claw
• Hydrolyzed gelatine
• Boswellia
• White willow bark extract and numerous others.

Remember that just using the supplements without making fundamental changes in lifestyle will give short lived effects. In fact, in a way you're exchanging one set of pills for another, drugs for herbs/supplements; the good news is that herbs and supplements have no side effects.
Here is a product that I found that has most of the above nutrients and is affordable: Country Life Arthro-Pain Relief Factors -- 60 Softgels