Undoubtedly, when one thinks of arthritis or rheumatic illness, not many “good” images come to mind. Chronic illness, disabilities, pain – these aren’t “positive” things. So, there becomes a real frustration – and a real disconnect – for many patients who see commercials for arthritis drugs that feature smiling, seemingly healthy and pain-free individuals who … Continue reading
Tag Archives: OA
This Fall, Focus on Preventing Falls – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
This fall, do yourself a favor and take the time to focus on preventing falls. We’ve all taken a tumble or a spill here and there, and the truth is, while we sometimes come out unscathed, we can sometimes really hurt ourselves! We often associate falls with children or the elderly, but the truth is, … Continue reading
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
Healing Hands for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
On September 19th, 2012, Massage Envy will donate $10 from every massage and facial to the Arthritis Foundation, as part of “Healing Hands for Arthritis.” You can find a location close to you by clicking here. According to the Arthritis Foundation website, “Massage Envy and the Arthritis Foundation are joining forces for the second annual Healing … Continue reading
Back Pain and Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States – some 50 percent to 80 percent of adults have had back pain at some time, and 10 percent of all Americans have back pain in a given year. Back pain can occur at any age … Continue reading
Are You the Face of Arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
What does arthritis “look like?” Check out this new initiative from the Arthritis Foundation, “Faces of Arthritis.” Go blue for World Arthritis Day by purchasing this shirt to show that arthritis has MANY looks, and then share your photo and your story to show the world what “arthritis looks like!” I’ll be posting more … Continue reading
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
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
Chiropractic Care for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Keeping in the them of our inaugural Digital Rheum post, we will be discussing how chiropractic care can potentially benefit people with some types of arthritis and rheumatic disease. If your rheumatologist agrees that you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor, here are some things to keep in mind! Know the differences between types of … Continue reading
Treatment Options of Rheumatic Disease: My Current Plan – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
People ask me all the time what I take for my rheumatoid arthritis. The truth is, I think I’ve pretty much tried everything, and, I’ve reacted differently to everything. The reason I don’t share the specifics of my exact treatment plans anymore, is because there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment, and everyone’s body is different. Plus, … Continue reading