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Ancient Methods of Pain Relief – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

It’s always amazing to see how far science and medicine have come. I thought it would be interesting for us arthritis patients to learn more about ancient methods of pain relief and old-fashioned arthritis treatments! Here are some interesting “old-school” methods of managing pain:   Cupping Therapy: Cupping is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese … Continue reading

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Fatigue vs. Being Tired: What’s the Difference? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

To put it simply: being tired is NOT the same thing as having fatigue. The type of fatigue that comes along with chronic illness and autoimmune diseases is unlike any other kind of exhaustion that most healthy people will experience in their lives. As an “e-patient” and an online advocate for people with rheumatic and … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Uncategorized

Difficult Decisions for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Being a rheumatoid arthritis patient or someone who lives with any chronic illness, really, leads us to sometimes have to make tough decisions that others may not have to face. Some of these decisions may be difficult or disheartening, and, like most life decisions, need to be considered carefully. One major decision that RA (and … Continue reading

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Neurological Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Did you know that autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, among others, carry with them the risk for neurological symptoms or comorbidities?  It’s true. Sometimes these types of chronic illnesses can LITERALLY be in your head … and the rest of the body, too.  Both Lupus and Rheumatoid (Autoimmune) Arthritis can have Neurological … Continue reading

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What Story Does Your Face Tell? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Arthritis Month has come to an end, but just because June is here, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep on spreading arthritis awareness. During the month of May,  I saw and heard a lot from the Arthritis Foundation’s “Faces of Arthritis” campaign — a wonderful, and sometimes eye-opening, initiative. I thought long and hard about the Face of Arthritis, and … Continue reading

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Back Pain and Spine Health Solutions – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Nearly everyone experiences some form of back pain or another at some point throughout their lifetime.  Of course, as with many conditions and ailments, the degree of severity varies greatly. However, there are things that you can do to strengthen your spine and support your back, which could alleviate pain, stiffness, and tension. Here are … Continue reading