Arthritis Basics

Arthritis affects people in a variety of ways. Joints may be stiff and creak. For others who suffer from arthritis, joints might crack suddenly, like knees upon standing. For many arthritis sufferers, pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar.

What's it all about? Let's take a look at the basics of arthritis and learn more.

Arthritis actually means "joint inflammation" and has over 100 related conditions or forms of the disease. If arthritis is left untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be reversed. Therefore, early detection of arthritis and arthritis treatment are important.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both type of arthritis have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can be osteoarthritis (OA). What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands as well. And, only in the later stages of osteoarthritis will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.

The second type, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), refers to the body's immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, rheumatoid arthritis most often starts in a person's hands, wrists and feet. Then rheumatoid arthritis advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.

Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever, and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.

A difference in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to note is with swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, people report "soft and squishy" swelling. While with osteoarthritis, people report "hard and bony" swelling.

Another difference between the two types of arthritis is that a person is more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis if a sibling or parent had it. While a person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis.

Arthritis can affect any age group. However, while there is no specific age for arthritis sufferers, arthritis seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.

And, while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of osteoarthritis cases (or just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of rheumatoid arthritis cases occur with women.

Furthermore, your health, particularly your weight, plays a role in the development of arthritis. People with excess weight tend to develop osteoarthritis, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk of arthritis, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.

Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options, the four main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude, and rest. Education also plays a huge role to dispel "old wives tales" and myths that "nothing can be done about arthritis."

If you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice. The sooner you detect the arthritis and the type of arthritis the better off you'll be. Furthermore, your symptoms may not be caused by arthritis, but may be caused by something else like a virus or tendonitis or other similar problem that could potentially worsen if left untreated.

Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler

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About Adam Waxler

Adam Waxler publishes a series of health & fitness information products and web sites including his new resource filled with with FREE articles and tips on Arthritis Pain Relief & Prevention @ http://www.1-800-health-teacher.com/arthritis.


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

The Most Important Decision of Your Massage Business Career

Don't you find that there are so many decisions you need to make each and every day regarding the direction of your massage practice. Especially if you are a solo-preneur or own your own massage business.

As a business owner myself I know at times it can seem overwhelming, wearing all the hats of massage therapist, marketer, salesperson, office administrator... and the list goes on.

Yet there is one key decision that will chart the course of your business and will ultimately determine your level of success long term. This decision will also increase your chances of staying the course till you have your ideal massage practice.

Can you think what that might be?

Well, let me ask you...

Are you trying to build a massage practice? Are you hoping to get more clients? Are you feeling it out to see how it goes? Or have you committed to building the business of your dreams.... no matter what!

Many therapists can't wait to finish massage school, find the ideal location for their practice, and jump right in there looking for ways to fill their schedule book with clients. But when things don't work out quite as smoothly as they expected, they get frustrated and give up all too easily.... because they never stopped to make that all important decision that they were absolutely committed to building a successful massage business.

This decision is a turning point. It announces to the world that not succeeding is no longer an option. This decision will inspire you to take action, even when things get rough.

My husband Francis is also a massage practitioner (jointly we have over 30 years in the profession). Early on in his career he traveled with motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, as his personal massage therapist. One of the things that Tony used to say was, "To get new results you must take new actions, and all actions are fathered by a decision."

So, what fundamental decision have you committed to regarding your massage practice? And is it a decision that inspires you to take action? Can you write it down somewhere that you will see on a daily basis?

OK, so you have made your decision... but do you believe it? Do you have the confidence in yourself to carry it through? In his classic book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill said that if you can conceive of something and believe that you can do it, then you can! And the more you believe in yourself the more likely you are to achieve your goals and manifest your dreams.

So what are your beliefs about:

  • Your skills as a massage therapist?
  • Your ability to attract your ideal clients?
  • Your ability to build and sustain a successful massage practice?
  • Your ability to create prosperity and abundance (and maybe even complete financial freedom) in your life?

Because until you believe that you can do it, you won't take the sustained action necessary to build a thriving business. And that would be a terrible shame because you have unique gifts to share in a way that nobody else can, and there are people for you to work with that no one else can help in quite the same way as you.

So, if your "belief muscles" are a little atrophied, how do you build them up? Here are some things you can do:

  • Write a list of all the reasons why you WILL succeed in your business and read it every day and every night.
  • Create a concise "belief statement" or declaration and post it where you will see it often.
  • Listen to and read about how others have succeeded.
  • Once you have made your committed decision just get in action and then make course corrections as you go. It is always easier to make adjustments when you are in motion, whereas procrastination will get you nowhere. And remember, getting in action reduces fear and doubt.
  • Work with a coach or mentor to help keep you on track.

So let's face it, as you grow your business there will be times when you will feel challenged, when you have to move outside your comfort zone, when you make mistakes, and when you doubt yourself and your abilities. This happens to us all! And you can either let these things undermine your confidence and sabotage your success, or use them to strengthen your decision to build the business of your dreams...no matter what!

A Native American elder once described his own inner turmoil like this: "It feels as if there are two dogs inside of me. One of the dogs is always fearful, anxious and filled with doubt. The other dog is playful and confident. The worried dog fights the joyful dog all the time." When asked by his friend which dog wins, he thought about it for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the most."

So which dog do you feed? The one that is doubtful and full of fear, or the dog that is joyful and successful? The choice is yours alone to make. But don't make it lightly. Because the answer will greatly influence the success not only of your massage business, but of your entire life.

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About Elizabeth Fletcher Brown

Elizabeth Fletcher Brown LMT, a Certified Success Coach is the founder of the Massage Business Center, dedicated to supporting massage therapists in creating financial freedom through business success. Do you really have what it takes to build the massage business of your dreams? Take our free online assessment at http://www.MassageBusinessCenter.com and find out.