September is Arthritis Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness and educate people about what arthritis is and how it affects people. Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians live with the pain of arthritis and more than half of them are under the age of 65. It is a complex disease with over 100 different types of arthritis that exist. It can be a debilitating chronic condition with many implications, especially for older adults, by limiting mobility and increasing the risk of falls.
Seeking out information to help you stay up to date on the condition and the diverse treatment options that are available can help to quell worries, encourage reflection on needs and preferences, and assist with making informed decisions.
There are many ways to manage arthritis, reduce symptoms, and improve mobility. Self-management strategies often involve weight management, heat and cold therapies, and therapeutic exercises. Assistive devices, medication and surgery may also be used depending on the type and severity of the arthritis.
Learn about evidence-based approaches for managing your arthritis and reducing symptoms using the resources below and talk to your health professional about what the best treatment options are for you.
Featured Resources
- E-Learning: Osteoarthritis and Exercise
- Blog Post: Living with arthritis: what the research says about treatment and pain relief
- Blog Post: Getting to know what you don’t know about exercise and rheumatoid arthritis
- Blog Post: Bad knees? The right kinds of exercise can bring pain relief and improve balance
- Blog Post: Acetaminophen (Tylenol): An “easy” fix for knee and hip osteoarthritis?
- Blog Post: Painful knees? What about acupuncture?
- Web Resource Rating: Osteoarthritis treatment
Source: McMaster University Optimal Aging Portal
