“Arthritis Ashley goes to the beach…without her Arthritis!” could have been the caption for my recent picture-perfect trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Approximately one year after marrying on the shores of a different island (Sanibel,) my husband and I took a nice vacation to Hilton Head, where I felt better than I have … Continue reading »
Tagged with Human Body …
Arthritis at the Beach – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
No one wants to take arthritis with them to the beach, but for those of us living with various forms of arthritis and rheumatic conditions, we really don’t have a choice! But, we do have a choice to not let arthritis ruin our sunny disposition, and, there are steps that we can take to make … Continue reading »
Planning a Cookout or Picnic with Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Memorial Day weekend is approaching, and while cookouts and picnics can be fun for the whole family, those of us with arthritis may have to take some extra precautions. Some tips to be able to enjoy the start of summer this weekend: Opt for dragging a cooler on wheels instead of carrying a big, heavy … Continue reading »
Journaling for Wellness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Many of you have likely heard of keeping a “pain diary” or a “health journal” to keep track of symptoms, but did you also know that keeping any kind of journal or diary, in general, can be beneficial to your health & well-being? It’s true. Writing can help you get in touch with your inner … Continue reading »
The Inconvenient Truths About Life with Arthritis and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I’ll admit it. I, like many of you, have, at times, grown weary of hearing, “You need to exercise. You need to eat well. You need to think positive thoughts. Sleep is important. You can’t give up,” and so on. But, I recently had a lot of health crises that led me to have a … Continue reading »
Practice Good Posture to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Promote Joint Health – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
“Sit up straight!” “Put your shoulders back!” Your elders likely critiqued your posture when you were a youngster, but turned out, posture is important even for those of us who aren’t walking the runway or attending a fancy tea party. If you have any form of chronic pain or arthritis, using good posture is essential … Continue reading »
The Importance of Range-of-Motion Exercises for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Sometimes, when arthritis is flaring, it is difficult for many of us to workout the way we’d like to. However, doing simple range-of-motion exercises is crucial for joint health. These types of stretches and exercises can be as gentle or as intense as you’d like them to be, and they are very important for keeping … Continue reading »
Self Esteem, Body Image, and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Many of us who live with chronic illness – especially rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses, or conditions that cause chronic pain – can get frustrated at our body at times for seemingly working against us. However, there are other body issues that can come along with being chronically ill. Many medications cause appearance-related side effects: skin … Continue reading »
The Juvenile Arthritis / Cancer Link – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Most of us are aware that there is a heightened risk for cancer if diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, because many of them “act” similarly at the cellular level. Additionally, certain medications may put RA patients at higher risk — but these same medications can ironically be used to treat cancer. “RA … Continue reading »
Self-Defense with Arthritis or Disability – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Everyone is vulnerable to unexpected attacks or assault. Random acts of violence are committed all the time in our world, unfortunately, and so are home invasions and physical altercations. If we’re lucky, we’ll avoid these kinds of situations. However, it helps to be prepared in case of emergency. Are you a woman? Are you … Continue reading »
