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Two Sides of the Same Coin: Traditional vs. Alternative Treatments for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

There has been a lot of bickering – and worse yet, a lot of what comes across as hatred – on social networks lately, regarding the use of alternative treatments for arthritis. The way that I look at it, though, is that those who use alternative treatments and those who use traditional medical treatments for … Continue reading

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Dental Health & Oral Hygiene with Rheumatoid Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Can rheumatoid arthritis or the medications taken for RA cause teeth problems or other issues with dental health or oral hygiene? Let’s take a look. There are many ways that rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be linked with dental problems. Rheumatoid arthritis, along with other forms of arthritis, can affect the jaw. If the jaw joint … Continue reading

Arthritis / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized

Fashion: The Enemy of Arthritis Patients? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Tonight is Fashion’s Night Out all over the country, and, will mark the start of the famed New York Fashion Week. For some of us, though, “fashion” isn’t as easy as supermodels, celebrities, and even our friends and loved ones may make it seem. Once a girl with a Carrie Bradshaw-sized shoe fetish; I can … Continue reading

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Back to School with Juvenile Arthritis: Some Patient Resources & Personal Thoughts – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

So, a new school year is beginning, and your child or teen has Juvenile Arthritis. How can you better prepare them for “back-to-school?” Juvenile Arthritis in its various forms affects approximately 300,000 children, teens, and young adults in the United States and is a common – though under-diagnosed – childhood condition. While there are many types, Juvenile … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

Managing Stress While Living with Chronic Pain or Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

As many as 90% of doctor visits, and thus coinciding conditions, have stress as a causative or effective component. Stress is a part of life for everyone, and how stress is handled varies from person to person. Unfortunately, for people living with a disability, chronic illness, or any other medical problem, life tends to come with a … Continue reading

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Can Bacteria or Fungus Cause Rheumatic Conditions? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

For decades, naturopathic doctors and practitioners of holistic and alternative medicine have claimed that bacteria and fungus are to blame for our nation’s epidemic of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Candida and small bowel bacterial overgrowth have especially garnered attention in the natural medicine communities. However, in recent years, traditional western medicine and esteemed medical doctors and scientists … Continue reading

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Chronic Pain and Sleep – The Vicious Cycle – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

  Sleep problems are common in people with arthritis and chronic pain. Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases may need more sleep than the average adult. Some RA patients need as much as 10 hours of sleep per night, whereas a “healthy” adult typically needs 7-8 hours … Continue reading

Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

The Healing Power of Tea and Confusion Over Coffee ~ by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Can a cup a day keep the doctor away? Recent studies have shown that drinking coffee in moderation is linked to life longevity. Past studies have also suggested that a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis was the consumption of coffee. So, which is it? According to the Arthritis Foundation, “What was bad news is … Continue reading