This page answers the question: What is Arthritis and How To Beat It?
Saturday 12th October is World Arthritis Day. The day will help to spread awareness and information about joint disorders that are collectively known as arthritis. The campaign will also highlight the challenges that people with arthritis face every day.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term often used to describe disorders that affect the joints. The following blog explains in more detail “What is Arthritis and How To Beat It”.
Generally when people say arthritis they mean one of the diseases where joint pain is primary. These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and others.
It comes as a surprise to many that arthritis can also be a secondary condition to a wide range of diseases. Sufferers of psoriasis and celiac disease to Lyme disease and lupus can all be struck by arthritis. In total there are more than 100 types of arthritis.
Not all Arthritis is part of the ageing process. There are more active diseases, such as Rhematoid Arthritis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis that require treatment from Rheumatologists.
Typical Symptoms
Typical symptoms of arthritis include:
- joint pain
- stiffness
- decreased range of motion
- skin redness
- warmth
- swelling
As you get older you are more likely to be suffer with the disease. Certain types affect young people and even children and teenagers (for example, juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Arthritis is a very common cause of disability; but few people explore What is Arthritis and How To Beat It.
Osteoarthritis – What is Arthritis
The most common type of Arthritis is Osteoarthritis. Nearly everybody will get symptoms of Osteoarthritis at some point. It is a natural and expected part of ageing, much like getting grey hair and wrinkles!
Getting “a bit stiff” as we get older is so common is that a lot of people think nothing can be done about the pain. The presumption is that it is just an inevitable part of getting older. They let it stop them doing the things they love, and that’s a real shame.
How to Beat Arthritis – Is it Possible?
We regularly see patients in clinic who have been told they have Arthritis. The consultation usually starts with them saying something like “There’s probably nothing you can do but…” To an extent, this is right. Here are True Physio we do not have a magic wand to take away the Arthritis. Our Physios can’t reverse the process.
What we can do is reduce the pain and stiffness in the joint. It is usual that the treatment will have a positive effect, meaning you can do more. The good news is – we can help!
Getting You The Help You Need
We often treat arthritis through massage, getting your joints moving and ensuring you build strength. The effect is a strong muscle around the joint. Taking the pressure off the joint relieves the pain.
Something really important to know about Osteoarthritis is that it doesn’t just suddenly appear overnight. That means that the day before you started having pain in a joint, the Arthritis was there, you just didn’t have any pain with it. The aim of treatment is to get our patients back to that point…they still have the Arthritis, but they don’t have pain.
Don’t Put Up With Pain
It is good to remember that exercise almost always plays an important role in managing the symptoms of joint related pains. Physiotherapists can help guide you in the best exercises and the activities you should be doing to help your Arthritis. Don’t just put up with pain.
This World Arthritis Day please book an appointment at one of the True Physio clinics to find out how we can help you.
