You've got that nagging pain in your finger joints again. Blast this arthritis! Many people are now discovering an aid to the overcoming the discomfort of this crippling condition - arthritis gloves. Why stop doing the things that you love like sewing or playing golf just because of arthritis in your hands?

These gloves work by providing warmth and gentle compression. The warmth is naturally generated from the skin and directed back to the body. This helps to increase blood flow to the fingers that brings oxygen and nutrients to the area to help repair any damaged tissues. The compression helps to reduce any inflammation, which is a significant cause of arthritis pain.

If you are on the look out for some of these gloves, here is a quick guide to some of the features you should consider.

Are they anatomically fitted? The purpose of the gloves is to provide mild compression and to keep the heat in. For this to be effective you have to have a product that is well engineered to fit snugly to the body.

Do they come in a range of sizes? This is not the sort of product where a one-size-fits-all will work. You want a product that is made to your size. Remember you could be wearing it for long periods so make sure they are comfortable.

Full or fingerless? This is your choice. If you want a glove that you can wear at night you may want to opt for a full glove. On the other hand you may find that a fingerless glove is more practical for wearing through the day. This will still provide warmth but you will find it easier to carry out your day-to-day chores.

What sort of fabric? You don't want sweat to build up inside your arthritis gloves so choose a breathable fabric. Also daytime gloves should ideally have a textured finish to help you grip things. If you start dropping things like cups and saucers you won't use your gloves for very long.

Arthritis gloves are very easy to use and don't need batteries or any outside source of heat to provide the warmth. And at a time where there is an increasing concern about the side effects of the various treatments on offer, you'll be glad to know that there are no side effects with these gloves.