#BeMoreHuman & Celebrate Everyone’s Fitness Choices and Abilities

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

While I enjoyed the commercial, I joked last night that “Welp, I’m not human,” after seeing Reebok’s #BeMoreHuman Super Bowl commercial. They replied on Twitter by telling me, and I quote: “Not with that attitude.” (As a follow up, it’s worth noting that Reebok also clarified, saying that #BeMoreHuman is about being your Best You, whatever … Continue reading →

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I’m Gluten-Free: 15 Things You Need to Know About the Celiac Lifestyle

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

I’m gluten-free. No, it isn’t by choice. Yes, it is necessary. No, I cannot cheat. Yes, I will get sick — possibly short-term, definitely long-term — if i ingest gluten. Now that the basics are out of the way, here are 15 more things you need to know about my gluten-free, Celiac-friendly lifestyle: Celiac Sprue … Continue reading →

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Autoimmune Illness and Circulation: How Do Conditions Like Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Our Cardiovascular System? – By Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Most people think of aches and pains when they hear about arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and similar ailments. The truth is, these conditions are complex, and there are still so many unknowns that surround each of them. Yes, pain and inflammation are often a huge part of various forms of arthritis and other chronic autoimmune illnesses, … Continue reading →

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13 Arthritis Tips and Resolutions for the New Year – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Happy New Year! Let’s resolve to make 2013 a healthy year with these 13 tips for living well with arthritis and rheumatic illness. Exercise: We know you hear it all the time, and we know that it can be frustrating and seem like a huge challenge, but light to moderate exercise, or any kind of … Continue reading →

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All About Inflammation – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Inflammation plays a huge role in rheumatic ailments such as arthritis…but what, exactly, is inflammation? According to Medical News today, “Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response. Inflammation is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process. When something … Continue reading →

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Health and Wellness Coaches for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Wellness counselors and health coaches are one of the most popular and fastest-growing segments of the healthcare culture. As a patient with chronic illness who has tried everything, they may seem like just another hopeless box to check off of your seemingly never-ending list. As long as your doctor doesn’t object, though, working with a … Continue reading →

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

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

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 →

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The Inconvenient Truths About Life with Arthritis and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 4 Comments

I’ll admit it. I, like many of you, have, at times, grown weary of hearing, “You need to exercise. You need to eat well. You need to think positive thoughts. Sleep is important. You can’t give up,” and so on. But, I recently had a lot of health crises that led me to have a … Continue reading →

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Self Esteem, Body Image, and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

Many of us who live with chronic illness – especially rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses, or conditions that cause chronic pain – can get frustrated at our body at times for seemingly working against us. However, there are other body issues that can come along with being chronically ill. Many medications cause appearance-related side effects: skin … Continue reading →

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The Great Debate: Alcohol and Arthritis by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 5 Comments

Like all great debates, there are opinions — and evidence — on both sides of the “alcohol and arthritis” issue. Some studies show that moderate alcohol intake is actually good for arthritis/inflammation….but many people with the conditions say that drinking worsens their symptoms. Of course, there are also the medications — many of which state … Continue reading →