Autumn is a beautiful time of year. However, it can be hard to enjoy the riot of colour and the cosy evenings when your arthritis flares up.
Changes in atmospheric pressure, colder weather fronts, and damp weather can cause arthritis symptoms to worsen which can be both painful and debilitating.
What is Arthritis?
There are many types of arthritis, the two most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, which affects around 10% of the population here in the UK, is usually caused by general wear and tear leading to the breaking down of cartilage; the protective tissue around your joints. This causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and, in time, hard, bony growths.
Osteoarthritis is most common among older people as cartilage is simply worn away over years of use.
However, other factors can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis, hastening onset, or worsening symptoms. These factors include obesity because added weight puts more pressure on joints, especially hips and knees. Genetic susceptibility, gender (women have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis), and previous injuries to joints and bones especially when the damage has not had adequate time to heal also increase the chances of developing osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to fight the healthy cells that protect your joints. This causes arthritic symptoms; swollen joints, pain, and stiffness. The symptoms are usually most apparent in your hands, wrists, and feet but rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other areas of the body.
Helping You To Feel Better.
Despite researchers and scientists being unable to pinpoint the exact reasons why it is so. Arthritis sufferers the world over are inclined to unite on the fact that the onset of Autumn and Winter and the cold, damp weather they bring cause flare-ups of symptoms.
Here at the Brixton Therapy Centre, we’d like to help you to feel better as the seasons change by providing those with arthritis with tips to manage worsening symptoms and providing information about how some of the therapies we offer can help.
Tips For Easing the Pain and Inflammation Caused By Arthritis
Heat Pads can help ease pain caused by colder weather.
Ice Packs can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Gentle Exercise such as swimming and yoga can help you to lose weight to reduce the pressure on your joints and increase flexibility.
Meditation can help to relieve stress which in turn can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Therapies That Can Help
Osteopathy is a combination of massage, movement, and manipulation of joints and muscles. Our musculoskeletal experts can advise you on exercises and postural changes to help manage and alleviate symptoms. They can also help with stiffness by releasing muscle tension around affected joints. This practice also improves circulation and lymph node drainage and will provide pain relief.
Acupuncture is a 2000-year-old holistic treatment that involves the stimulation of acupressure points to help the flow of Qi energy. Our team of experienced and trained practitioners can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and can be used alone or in conjunction with prescribed medicines.
Massage of all kinds including Swedish Massage and Thai Yoga Massage can help to relieve stress which can exacerbate symptoms and pain associated with arthritis. By encouraging lymphatic drainage and improving circulation massage can also reduce swelling and inflammation.
Contact us at The Brixton Therapy Centre to find out more about which therapy will be best for your individual needs.