Arthritis
Myths and Misconceptions
Myth: Arthritis always is painful.
Truth: Arthritic changes in joints can begin without a person even knowing. Even after diagnosis, arthritis can progress at different paces and in different ways. No two patients are alike – in their disease or in their tolerance of pain.
Myth: There's nothing I can do about my arthritis pain, so I might as well live with it.
Truth: There are many treatment options for the pain and discomfort of arthritis, including aspirin, exercise and therapy, glucosamine supplements, prescription medicines and surgery. You and your health-care professional can confer on the right treatment for your kind of arthritis and level of pain.
Myth: Relieving pain is the whole goal of arthritis treatment.
Truth: It's an important issue in arthritis treatment, but not the sole issue. Rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue also is a goal.
Myth: Arthritis is inevitable as we age and there is nothing we can do to stop the process.
Truth: By improving your diet, exercising and taking supplements you can drastically minimize your chances of ever having a debilitating joint disease. Such supplements include: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin, methy sulfonyl methone (MSM), oral systemic enzymes – also known as oral proteolytic enzymes: bromelain, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin (Wobenzym) – bioflavinoids such as ruticid, and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, boron and molybdenum.
Certain herbs also are helpful. These include: ginger root extract (Zinaxin), horse chestnut (aescin), elm, ash, goldenseal extract (Phytodolor). Taking dietary supplements to improve bowel health will also cut down on exposure to antigens that aggravate arthritis. These products are known as pre-biotics (inulin: Inuflora), or pro-bioitics (acidophillus, bifidobacteria and lactobacillus). See the Arthritis Books and Videos section of this web site for books on various arthritis supplements.
Myth: Only people who have had traumatic injuries or who work in strenuous professions like professional football get osteoarthritis.
Truth: Anyone can get this form of arthritis.
Myth: Osteoarthritis will hurt so much, I'll have to give up my active life.
Truth: Many people with arthritis enjoy relatively, if not completely, active lives. A well-planned exercise program actually benefits joints by moving fluids and nutrients in and debris and toxins out. This is something that your physical therapist can help with.
Myth: Mental stress causes arthritis.
Truth: Stress doesn't cause arthritis, but can cause you to feel more pain. Stress is a part of life, but one we can handle. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, or just making time for activities we enjoy, can help us handle stress.
Truth: Arthritic changes in joints can begin without a person even knowing. Even after diagnosis, arthritis can progress at different paces and in different ways. No two patients are alike – in their disease or in their tolerance of pain.
Myth: There's nothing I can do about my arthritis pain, so I might as well live with it.
Truth: There are many treatment options for the pain and discomfort of arthritis, including aspirin, exercise and therapy, glucosamine supplements, prescription medicines and surgery. You and your health-care professional can confer on the right treatment for your kind of arthritis and level of pain.
Myth: Relieving pain is the whole goal of arthritis treatment.
Truth: It's an important issue in arthritis treatment, but not the sole issue. Rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue also is a goal.
Myth: Arthritis is inevitable as we age and there is nothing we can do to stop the process.
Truth: By improving your diet, exercising and taking supplements you can drastically minimize your chances of ever having a debilitating joint disease. Such supplements include: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin, methy sulfonyl methone (MSM), oral systemic enzymes – also known as oral proteolytic enzymes: bromelain, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin (Wobenzym) – bioflavinoids such as ruticid, and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, boron and molybdenum.
Certain herbs also are helpful. These include: ginger root extract (Zinaxin), horse chestnut (aescin), elm, ash, goldenseal extract (Phytodolor). Taking dietary supplements to improve bowel health will also cut down on exposure to antigens that aggravate arthritis. These products are known as pre-biotics (inulin: Inuflora), or pro-bioitics (acidophillus, bifidobacteria and lactobacillus). See the Arthritis Books and Videos section of this web site for books on various arthritis supplements.
Myth: Only people who have had traumatic injuries or who work in strenuous professions like professional football get osteoarthritis.
Truth: Anyone can get this form of arthritis.
Myth: Osteoarthritis will hurt so much, I'll have to give up my active life.
Truth: Many people with arthritis enjoy relatively, if not completely, active lives. A well-planned exercise program actually benefits joints by moving fluids and nutrients in and debris and toxins out. This is something that your physical therapist can help with.
Myth: Mental stress causes arthritis.
Truth: Stress doesn't cause arthritis, but can cause you to feel more pain. Stress is a part of life, but one we can handle. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, or just making time for activities we enjoy, can help us handle stress.