Osteoarthritis in the hands is typically more common in women than in men. It also seems to be hereditary, which means if your parent or grandparent has Osteoarthritis in their hands, you may have a higher risk for developing the disorder. Typically, small bony knots start to appear on the end joints of the fingers and are referred to as Heberden’s nodes. Similar looking nodes may also appear on the middle joints of the fingers. These are Bouchard’s nodes. Both of these deformities arise from Osteoarthritis and they can both be very painful and also make the hands and fingers appear deformed. Treating Osteoarthritis in the hands, knuckles, and fingers naturally can be a fairly easy. The best thing you can start with is giving your hands a rest. If you use your hands constantly throughout the day, either for your occupation, hobbies, or other physical work, it may be time to give them a few days off so that they can properly heal. This relieves pressure from the joints for a while and keeps the bones from rubbing together for a little while. One of the best ways to prevent Osteoarthritis from forming or becoming worse, is to keep the hands and fingers strong and limber. There are various ways to strengthen the muscles in your hands by performing exercises and stretches. Ice packs and other cold applications can help reduce swelling and pain. A great time to apply cold applications is during periods of rest. This is also a great time to apply topical solutions that reduce pain and inflammation. Compression gloves are another great way to keep the muscles, joints, tendons, and other tissues together and in the right place so that they heal properly. Compression gloves are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. Other natural treatment options include soaking the hands in warm water containing Epsom salt. Epsom salt contains the electrolyte Magnesium, which helps to promote healthy tissue and nerve function.