Hey it’s Dee your health and wellness coach here. Did you know there are over 200 musculoskeletal conditions which affects 1 in 10, that’s over 8 million people including children, here in the UK alone.
As a qualified and practicing massage therapist, I get asked questions about arthritis all the time especially at this time of year when clients feel worse about their condition due to the extreme cold weather.
Arthritis is a musculoskeletal condition and literally means inflammation of the joints. There are roughly 200 musculoskeletal conditions which fall into 5 main categories: inflammatory arthritis; degenerative arthritis; soft tissue pain; back pain and connective tissue disease.
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects 8 million people in the UK alone including children (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis) so it’s not just a condition suffered by the elderly. And contrary to what you may believe or been told to believe it’s not just a condition suffered by women. Symptoms generally include pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints as the cartilage starts to smooth and thin out over time. The hands, knees, hips and spine are usually affected most.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease meaning the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis affects many parts of the body but most affected are usually the hands, feet and sometimes the neck. When the fluid builds up inside the joint it may well swell. If it progresses, which only happens in a proportion of people, the cartilage and then the bone is affected until, over time, the joint may become deformed and the parts may fuse together.
Other types of arthritis include: Ankylosing, Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Gout and many more
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis you’re probably thinking but I already know most of this so what can you tell me that my doctor hasn’t already?!
Well after speaking with most of my clients and a few family members who suffer from arthritis it appears no one has ever been told what actually causes arthritis and the only treatment ever suggested is drugs including steroids, surgical procedures and oh more drugs!
Yes, you could of course help yourself to alleviate symptoms by firstly eating a well balanced diet. It also goes without saying that being overweight will put extra pressure on your joints leading to increased pain, stiffness and restricted movement.
Secondly, keeping the body moving is vital. Everyone says, exercise, exercise, exercise but when suffering with pain and stiffness the last thing on your mind is exercise right. I would suggest a beginner’s yoga class but start when you’re having a ‘good day.’
Thirdly, lets get hydrated and stay there. There’s nothing better to feed the joints with than drinking plenty of water. I’d say between 1.5 and 3 litres depending on body weight is ideal.
Fourth, try an alternative therapy to help alleviate the pain such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and, on a really good day with no flare ups, have a relaxing massage to melt the stress away!
You have nothing to lose by trying this other than a few quid a day but perhaps a lot to gain especially a better quality of life!
So, its all very well to try to cope with or try to live with arthritis and help alleviate symptoms, have good days and bad days, take the drugs on a daily basis or maybe you’re awaiting surgery at this moment in time, but unless you tackle the root cause it seems you’ll be forever just trying!
There is a quick and easy way to increase your calcium intake and decrease the pain caused by the condition. So let’s talk about it here and now. Anything to do with bones and joints is fed by calcium so that could very well be the cause of the issue: a calcium deficiency. I would strongly urge anyone suffering from any form of musculoskeletal condition to increase their intake of calcium. Most vitamins and minerals work together and calcium is one of those minerals that does not work in isolation. It works together with magnesium, potassium, boron, copper, zinc and vitamins A, C and D. So in order for the body to absorb a sufficient amount of calcium these vitamins and minerals are also needed.
Here’s how you can get the right amount essential nutrients and improve your calcium absorption. One simple healthy body pack specifically targeted for healthy bones and joints. Click below and get yours today.
Healthy Bone and Joint Pak
Thanks, Lauren! Enjoy!