Myths in healthcare take shape (and indeed take on a life of their own) when a sound bite or piece of information is spread and made public as fact before the person or companies releasing that information have the necessary context in which to consider the so-called facts. Without a context in which to understand something, any piece of content (information) is meaningless.

When it comes to diseases and conditions like arthritis, the pain and symptoms can wreak havoc on a life. If left unchecked, the quality of life of the one suffering arthritis can be destroyed, as well as the life of those close to them. As a person suffering from arthritis, you know how difficult it can be to maintain your quality of life, your daily routines, your cheery disposition and positive outlook regarding your disease and your life.

For those myths you believe, be open to understanding the myths and then believing the facts. It is my sincere hope that by understanding these basic yet simple facts you will find a more positive view of your arthritic condition and, as a result, be more inclined to follow the therapeutic solutions found in later chapters. After all, a firm belief based in fact goes a long way toward beginning and maintaining a wellness program, especially when one is facing daily pain and physical and emotional debilitation. Let’s look at the 8 biggest arthritis myths now as detailed in the ground-breaking natural relief book, Arthritis Reversed. 

MYTH #1: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are the Same

Perhaps the most pervasive myth of all is the notion that there is only one type of arthritis and it just happens to have different symptoms for different people. While it is easy to see how people might think that, it is not the case. In fact, there are over 100 different types of arthritis; the three most common being osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile arthritis (JA).

While rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis are diseases–autoimmune diseases, to be precise – osteoarthritis (OA) is not a disease at all. It is a symptom of joint degeneration. Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis (and type I diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc.), are progressive and associated with a systemic autoimmune disorder. That means the body makes antibodies that attack its own tissues and joints when triggered by some unknown event. Such triggers are known to include a reaction to a virus, the flu shot and stress. In the case of RA and JA, the joints are affected from the internal imbalance. 

On the other hand, osteoarthritis is the result of any combination of several external factors, including traumatic physical injury and excessive sports or physical activities over the course of decades. This causes wear and tear of the joints, as well as of the cartilage separating the joints and the surrounding tissues (tendon and muscle). Therefore, “arthritis” can be correctly thought of as a disorder of the joints with two main causes: (1) incorrect autoimmune response and (2) wear and tear on the joints. So while the symptoms may be similar, RA and JA are diseases while OA is a symptom of a structural joint  problem brought on by external stressors.

Just having basic clarity on this first myth alone should provide you with some anxiety relief. After all, most people with arthritis have osteoarthritis (only one percent have RA). Simply knowing that it is not a disease and that its symptoms are quite manageable with natural, non-invasive approaches should provide you with enough hope for change that you find almost immediate improvement in your daily outlook.

MYTH #2: Arthritis Is a Normal Part of Aging and Only Affects the Elderly

Observing numerous elderly individuals with symptoms of arthritic conditions, such as misshapen hands and the use of walkers or wheelchairs, can lead one to believe that arthritis is an inevitable part of aging. However, with the advanced care and support provided by a senior indpendent living facility, this no longer has to be the norm.

To begin correcting this myth it is important to know that rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis are autoimmune diseases and, therefore, have nothing to do with aging. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a result of joint wear and tear based in injury and/or overuse, which can come on at any time – or not at all. As such, OA also is not a “normal” part of the aging process.

By keeping the immune system strong and stable, eating right, exercising right and taking care of bone and joint health, the onset and debilitating effects of arthritis need not be part of your aging process. And with better diagnosis and natural treatment remedies and therapies available, when you find you have the condition you can stop it and reduce or even reverse its symptoms, so they will not progress into your senior years.

MYTH #3: If You Don’t Look “Sick,” You Don’t Have Rheumatoid Arthritis

If one is only looking to the outward signs and symptoms of RA to know if they have it, they will be amiss. Even when people do not have the visible outward signs of rheumatoid arthritis, such as red swollen joints and misshapen fingers, they can still suffer symptoms, like joint pain, fatigue and a general sense of feeling unwell. Again, RA is an autoimmune disease and can be active before visible signs of it manifest.

The best way to know if you have, or are at risk for, RA is speak to your primary care physician, look into family history and do some blood work. Knowing your risks ahead of time, or early enough in the continuum of the disease, will help you get a jump on the symptoms and immune regulation needed to live a better quality of life.

MYTH #4: If You Have Arthritis, You Should not Exercise 

This is a myth most believed by those suffering the symptoms of arthritic pain and inflammation. Decades ago patients were told not to exercise because it would rub the joints and make things worse. This is incorrect. While it is true that depending on your arthritis type and conditions certain exercises should be avoided, this is not a blanket statement about all forms of exercise. The fact is, a certain amount of exercise can greatly help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Most often, those with arthritis in the hips and hands feel pain in the joints and inflammation and/or contraction in the muscles and tissues around those joints. However, part of what is contributing to the pain and stiffness is the limited range of motion within the joint structure that has happened as a result of not exercising.

The first step is to begin exercising slowly, lightly and with limits so as not to worsen or aggravate the conditions. Moving each joint slowly at first helps lubricate the joints and stretch the muscles. Strengthening exercises can help stabilize the arthritis joint structures. This in turn helps bring fresh blood, and thus oxygen and nutrients, to the area, which decreases inflammation, stiffness and pain. Exercise can increase in rigorousness and time as you are able. The myth that one must rest and not exercise with arthritis no longer holds water. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) advocates exercises to help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible and to reduce the symptoms of depression, which can be common among people with a long-term illness like rheumatoid arthritis. 

Therefore, if you’re elderly loved one is living in senior independent living residences or an assisted living facility like The Chelsea at Fair Lawn independent living or Pioneer Place Memory Haven, make sure that they value exercise. If you’d like to find more about a senior independent living facility and senior independent living plans that support physical activities, visit www.thechelseawarren.com/residences/ or www.thechelseabrookhaven.com/residences/.

MYTH #5:Different Climates Have No Effect on Arthritis

This myth is especially troublesome to me. To explain why, it is necessary to understand that there is truth within the myth, depending on the context of the conversation. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that cold weather or environments cause arthritis or alter its course, or that warm weather can reverse or cure arthritis. All of this is true.

However, the important issue here is that both cold and warm weather can affect arthritis in negative or positive ways. Climate does play a role in how one experiences the symptoms of their arthritis. Cold weather constricts muscles, tendons and blood vessels, causing constriction around the joints, and thus pain and limited range of motion. Heat allows muscles to expand and blood to flow, and so relieves compression around joints and helps move fresh blood into the arthritis area. This reduces pain and stiffness and increases range of motion. Damp environments (whether warm or cold) cause inflammation around joints, and thus restrict movement and cause pain. 

So while cold weather does not cause arthritis and warm weather does not cure it, it is clear that climate does play a role in how one experiences their arthritic condition and the symptoms involved therein. Therefore, temperature and climate should not be ignored when putting into place an arthritis relief action plan.

MYTH #6: Arthritis Will Lead to Disability, Wheelchair and the Nursing Home

This myth is a hard one to bust, especially since it is formed and held in place by individual belief systems. As a result of our history of poor arthritis diagnosis, treatment and prevention methods, many who contracted arthritis did end up with a walker, in a wheelchair and living in assisted environments. Seeing them today can make one think the same will happen to you. However, what used to be fact is now fiction.

The first thing to understand is that arthritis is a continuum; it is not one size fits all. Moreover, as awareness of the RA disease and the OA condition increases, improved medical tests have become more specific to diagnose it sooner so treatment and preventive measures can be put into place. Three of the common blood tests are: measure the rheumatoid factor (RF), citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Moreover, with information on diet, supplementation and with aided therapies like chiropractic, acupuncture, quantum touch and others, there are many restorative options available to halt its progression (if it is already there) and prevent it (if not).

Rheumatoid arthritis is the more difficult of the two most common types to control, as it is an autoimmune disease. But early detection and stabilization of the immune system can help keep it from progressing too rapidly. In fact, a study in the Journal of Rheumatology found that “after 10 years, 94 percent of the patients managed daily life activities independently.” This is promising indeed, especially since those in the study did not have a wide blanket of options at their disposal. Moreover, supplementation and change of diet and various therapies can reduce its symptoms while strengthening the affected and surrounding joint areas.

Osteoarthritis is easier to account for, stop and manage symptoms as they are mostly related to lifestyle and activity choices, bone and joint health and weight. Thus, the notion that if you get arthritis your history is written and you will end up in a wheelchair or in assisted living is no longer valid today. That is, if one takes the necessary steps, as detailed in this book.

MYTH #7: Arthritis Sufferers Have To Live In Pain

This is a huge myth that is widely believed. Why? Because many arthritis sufferers do live in pain, with daily stiffness and inflammation. They are suffering greatly, yet needlessly. Why? Because they don’t know all of the parts of the arthritis puzzle. Knowing them instills knowledge and knowledge provides the impetus and power for change.

By engaging in mind/body exercises to reduce stress, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, stretching, exercising, taking proper supplementation, using therapeutic creams and seeing practitioners for complementary wellness visits, you can greatly reduce, if not almost completely remove, the daily throbbing pain of arthritis. Inflammation decreases, blood flow increases, joint pressure reduces, joint support strengthens and pain slips away. While it takes time and effort, and a lifestyle change, you do not have to live your life in debilitating pain just because you have arthritis.

Will there be a certain level of pain associated with your arthritic condition, even after mindfully doing all of the steps and taking all of the advice in this book? Perhaps, but it should be nowhere near the levels you feel today. Even with the best treatment plan, the best healthcare providers, the best supplements and diet there are so many things to control. These include sleep patterns, stress levels, genetic makeup, and potential slips and falls that can increase your pain. However, you can control many of these, so you do have the means to reduce significantly the pain associated with arthritis. 

MYTH #8: Teh Damage of Arthritis Can’t Be Reversed

The notion that the damage done by arthritis cannot be reversed is perhaps the biggest myth of all. It is easy to see why people think this, and how the myth started, but it simply is untrue. You see, many of the “common beliefs” about arthritis are derived from a Western medical point of view. This view believes nothing can be done to reverse damage, and so patients need to manage their condition as best they can. In other words, symptomatic relief only. However, traditional and holistic medicines have natural methods for increasing bone density, rebuilding bone and regenerating soft tissue. In other words, a natural approach to reversing damage done by arthritis based on using supplements, topical creams and energy medicine.

In the chapters that follow you will learn about these natural approaches and how they can help you. Concluding Thoughts It is my sincere wish that you not suffer the many debilitating symptoms of arthritis and that they not derail your life. I hope that you brought an open mind to my explanation of why the above seven myths do not hold water and understand that you are not prisoner to them. While it may be true that these eight myths are popularly believed, they are not grounded in irrefutable fact. Dismiss these myths and learn the facts of the situation so you can change your arthritis experience by, in many cases, preventing the progression of both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. At the same time, you will reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life on a daily basis.

Knowledge is power and understanding fosters wisdom. Chapter 2 of Dr. Mark Wiley’s ground-breaking book, Arthritis Reversed, will give you a better understanding of where you stand and how to relate to the powerful, potentially life-changing information and action steps provided later in the book.

Read the book: Arthritis Reversed: Ground-breaking 30-Day Arthritis Relief Action Plan today.