Having over 20 years of experience in Ayurvedic medicine and Western Clinical Nutrition, I feel obligated to chime in here.
NSAIDs (Tylenol, Advil, etc) are some of the worst things to take for arthritis because they cause further deterioration of the joint and therefore lead to the need for stronger drugs to control the pain. They also do a number on your liver and kidneys. Tylenol overdose is the #1 cause of acute liver failure.
There are several natural approaches which are far safer and much more effective, as they actually correct the problem as opposed to merely masking the symptoms.
First, there are several systemic enzyme formulas that help reduce or eliminate inflammation. Vitalzyme and Wobenzyme are two of the most popular, and from my experience Vitalzyme is the more effective of the two. Wobenzyme has been extensively studied in Germany and has a well documented track record of effectiveness. The great thing about systemic enzymes is you can't overdose on them. Worst case scenario, you take way too many (say an entire bottle of 100+) and you end up with a headache or stomach ache or the runs due to the Herxheimer effect (just a cleanse effect from killing off bad bacteria and other toxins). Not a problem. I've taken over 100 in the course of 12 hours for an injury with no negative side effects.
Along with the systemic enzymes are several herbal combinations such as Botanical Treasures by Natura, which contains standardized turmeric (95% curcuminoids), holy basil, and a ton of other herbs specifically used to alleviate inflammation in the body (which leads to pain). Botanical Treasures is the one I find most effective. Another alternative one is Zyflammend, which is effective, though not as effective as Botanical Treasures. Both are also safe in very high doses.Curcumin is the active ingredient found in the spice turmeric and has been shown to have excellent anti-inflammatory effect. I recently had two wisdom teeth taken out at the same time, and I used Wobenzyme and some curcumin (I was unfortunately out of Wobenzyme at the time) and within a few hours there was no swelling and no pain at all. Didn't even need an aspirin or anything, there was literally no pain at all.
Those supplements are especially good for rheumatoid arthritis, which entails far more inflammation than osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is especially of concern to shooters as it targets the hands and wrists, as opposed to osteoarthritis, which affects the weight bearing joints (knees, hips, etc) and consists more of joint degeneration rather than inflammation.
For osteoarthritis, a good formula of glucosamine and chondroitin is essential, as this rebuilds the joints. It's been proven to actually rebuild joints and reduce pain rather than just masking it. I prefer a formula that includes MSM, which makes it more effective. Again, a very safe formula. Adding hyaluronic acid (in liquid form preferably...the best brand is Synthovial Seven) will really help, as your body uses that to rebuild the synovial cavity between the bones, increasing the cushioning effect. It absorbs thousands of times its weight in water, and your body uses it not only to build and lubricate the joints, but also to moisten the skin, the fluids in your eyes, etc. Again, a very safe product, it's damn near impossible to overdose on.
Dietary changes are also essential. We tend to eat far too many Omega 6 oils and fats (corn, soy, canola, and safflower oils and hydrogenated oils) and not enough good fats and Omega 3 oils (raw butter, lard, coconut oil, flax oil, fish or krill oil).
A high quality Omega 3 fish oil is a great help in working with either form of arthritis, and Nordic Naturals makes the highest quality (i take their Ultimate Omega formula). Oceans 3 by Garden of Life is also top-notch. You can't get your omega 3 fats from flax alone, you must use either fish or krill oil.
Avoiding processed and refined carbs (breads, pastas, etc) also helps. Soda/pop drinks are the bane of everyone, as they contain phosphoric acid (which acidifies the body and weakens bone, leading to worsening of arthritic breakdown of the joints), and high fructose corn syrup (which de-mineralizes the bone, decreases your good cholesterol, increases your bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increases uric acid which causes inflammation throughout the body). Also, the carbonation in sodas forms carbonic acid in the stomach, which further decays bone. In order to neutralize a single 8oz can of Pepsi or Coke, you'd need to ingest 32 equal sized cans of pH neutral water!
Anything with fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or agave nectar (which is 70%-90% fructose) should be avoided because it de-mineralizes bones, while increasing your bad cholesterol and uric acid levels.
I guess that's enough to digest in one post, no pun intended.
If anyone has questions on any of this, or other health issues, please feel free to post here or email be privately. I figure I can use my particular knowledge to give something back, since I'm learning so much from others here at this forum.