Arthritis Myths &Truths
Myth 1: Arthritis only affects older people
Truth: 2/3 of people with arthritis in Australia are under 65.
Arthritis is the umbrella term used for over 100 conditions involving the joints, with the most common being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Many forms of arthritis have an autoimmune component, where the body reacts against its own tissues. Children can get arthritis too.
It’s important to present to your physician with any concerns about joint pain for early diagnosis and management. Physiotherapists play a key role in you living your best life with arthritis.
Myth 2: There is no urgency for treatment
Truth: Early treatment is essential in preventing complications and disability.
Timely pharmacological management is vital in the autoimmune arthritides, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Myth 3: Arthritis risk can’t be reduced
Truth: Whilst there are non-modifiable risk factors involved in developing arthritis, such as gender, age and genetics, you CAN reduce some of the risks of developing arthritis.
Stay in a healthy weight range. This both reduces the load on your joints and reduces the amount of circulating inflammatory substances in your body (secreted by adipose tissue)
Get the recommended amount of exercise. Click here to see the WHO recommendations.
See a physio to guide you in the best forms of exercise for optimal benefit and reduced arthritis risk for your individual situation …..and work together to find exercise you ENJOY doing!
Avoid joint injuries: use correct protective gear in sports; get appropriate strength and skill training for your activity; maintain great balance; know how to pace with repetitive loads.
Quit smoking, a proven risk factor in developing many forms of arthritis
Myth 4: Osteoarthritis is just a “Wear & Tear” disease
Truth: Many factors contribute to osteoarthritis. It is a complex “whole joint” disease, also influenced by inflammatory mediators, rather than purely a process of “wear and tear”. The experience of osteoarthritis is very individual and the experience of pain and disability is varied…even if the X-rays look identical!
Physiotherapists don’t just “treat the X-ray”. There are many facets to each individual’s level of pain and dysfunction and therefore many facets to intervention. Certainly, joint surgery is indicated in some cases, but usually only if a course of targeted conservative management has not resulted in a satisfactory improvement in quality of life
Myth 5: Once you have arthritis, there’s not much you can do about it
Truth: There are comprehensive management plans with proven effectiveness. Whilst we have limited ability to reverse the arthritis itself, much can be done in slowing its progression, limiting the pain felt and optimizing your daily function
While the right EXERCISE is of key importance, given the wide range of factors contributing to disease progression and the experience of symptoms, integrative/holistic management is essential. Holistic care involves measures to address not just biomechanics, but also lifestyle, symptom management and stress reduction. Together with some hands-on physiotherapy, arthritis education programs and professionally instructed yoga (taught by an experienced yoga teacher who is also a physiotherapist or other health professional with a knowledge of arthritis) are proven holistic care models for arthritis.
Myth 6: Exercise will exacerbate arthritis
Truth: Exercise has been shown to be one of the most important strategies in managing arthritis. The process of arthritis can precipitate muscle weakness, joint instability and deformities which can affect basic daily activities. A resultant reduction in activity level leads to further joint degradation, not least because the cartilage-nourishing fluid in the joints requires movement to be effective. With reducing activity levels, the other wide-ranging health benefits of exercise (including weight management, mental health, reduced inflammatory markers and other chronic disease mitigation) are lost too.
A physiotherapist will guide an individualised program of exercise to regain strength and stability. They will teach how to pace, manage load, and how to respond to arthritis symptoms. Movement Therapy classes instructed by a physiotherapist, such as Clinical Pilates, specialised yoga and hydrotherapy are optimal for joint health. It’s your physio’s goal to find appropriate exercise YOU enjoy!
