When comedian Joan Rivers commented on her emotional wounds and worries, the world laughed. "I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio."

Finding ways to ease pain is one of the strongest human impulses — and one of the hardest things to do successfully.

So it was great news when a recent study published in Arthritis Care & Research reported that consumption of dietary omega-3s (but not supplements) eases pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Researchers found that after taking an RA medication — methotrexate — for three months, about 20 percent of study participants still had pain.

Those with persistent pain had measurably lower dietary intake of omega-3s.

When the dietary ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s in polyunsaturated oils — such as corn, safflower and soybean — is skewed, as it is in the American diet (should be a ratio of 1-to-1 but is 16-to-1 in favor of omega-6s) problems related to inflammation happen. Pain is related to inflammation.

Increasing dietary omega-3s helps restore a healthier balance.

The researchers suggest that such pain-relieving benefits may happen because omega-3s boost production of resolvins that tamp down inflammatory immune responses and reduce nerve inflammation.

Other studies also point to omega-3s' pain-relieving powers (including from supplements).

So if you have chronic pain, increase your weekly consumption of fish such as salmon or sea trout; they're loaded with DHA and EPA omega-3s.

And get plant sources that contain ALA omega-3: flax and chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, canola oil, avocados, and pumpkin seeds.