What Rheumatoid Arthritis Looks Like In August, Healthline.com sent a film crew to my home in Pittsburgh. They followed me around for 8 hours to see what a typical day is like for me as a patient with RA. (Of course, we all know that there is no “typical” day. That day, I was able … Continue reading
Tag Archives: physical activity
13 Arthritis Tips and Resolutions for the New Year – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
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
The Inconvenient Truths About Life with Arthritis and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
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
The Importance of Range-of-Motion Exercises for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Sometimes, when arthritis is flaring, it is difficult for many of us to workout the way we’d like to. However, doing simple range-of-motion exercises is crucial for joint health. These types of stretches and exercises can be as gentle or as intense as you’d like them to be, and they are very important for keeping … Continue reading
25 Ways to Stay Active Indoors – Even if you Have Arthritis! – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
It is often hard for people with arthritis to exercise as frequently as we want to — and it is even more difficult when we are confined indoors during these winter months, which, for many, are colder and with worse weather. But, have no worries, have no fear — here is a list of 25 … Continue reading
What Came First: Arthritis or Inactivity? ~ by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Of course, being inactive cannot cause autoimmune forms of arthritis or rheumatic diseases. However, it can exacerbate symptoms and can also contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis, also known as OA, as many studies have shown. OA is the “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis, often caused by old sports injuries or just aging in general. Exercise … Continue reading
Parenthood, Arthritis, and Chronic Pain – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Parenting is a difficult task for anyone, but particularly of those with chronic illness or a disability. How can you care for your children when there are days that you can barely care for yourself? I don’t have kids of my own but I posed the question to the arthritis community on Facebook and Twitter, … Continue reading
What’s Your ‘Weapon’ Against Arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I recently read an article about writing being a good way to “beat the blues.” There was scientific evidence behind it, but, more importantly, I can attest to the validity of it on a personal level. The Arthritis Foundation encourages us all to have a “weapon against arthritis.” Most of these weapons of choice are … Continue reading
Yoga and Arthritis – Some Facts and Some Testimonies – by Ashley Boynes
I have taken traditional yoga classes, read up on chair yoga, and am about to embark upon the adventure of bikram hot yoga, and so I wanted to first do some research and find out how beneficial yoga really is for arthritis. Of course, the first step for me – and for any of you … Continue reading
Fibromyalgia Awareness – by Ashley Boynes
Fibromyalgia is a pain. Literally. Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and this is definitely a condition that needs more awareness surrounding it. Although it isn’t technically a form of arthritis, it is a related condition and shares many overlapping symptoms with various forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease. Fibromyalgia – a chronic pain condition also … Continue reading