Hola, buenos amigos! If you speak Spanish and have arthritis or know someone who does, ReumatoIDEAS is for you! Some of your favorite “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please” blog posts are translated into Spanish and shared on this new blog, so that we can reach even more readers who live with arthritis or … Continue reading »
Tagged with JRA …
Seaside Yoga, Beach Biking, and Serene Inspiration – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
“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 »
A Balancing Act: Talking About Arthritis and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I have found that it is sometimes difficult to describe my conditions, honestly, and with full-disclosure, without people “feeling bad” for me. I also hate to play the “victim” role, and I certainly try not to, but when I really delve into the complexities of the conditions I have lived with, it kind of sounds … Continue reading »
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 »
The Big Picture: Photography & Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
No one wants to have to give up their favorite pastimes or hobbies, much less a career, because of arthritis. So, photo-bugs of the amateur and professional photog levels alike, no need to fear! A guide to arthritis-friendly photography is here! If arthritis in your fingers and hands makes it difficult to take photos due … Continue reading »
Arthritis Action: The ABCs & 123s of Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
May is Arthritis Awareness Month – also known as Arthritis Action Month! Hopefully, you’ve been doing your part to spread awareness all month long. As a reminder, here are the ABCs & 123s of Arthritis, to show how you can take action now against arthritis during the month of May….and always! May 1: ADVOCATE! Let your elected … 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 »
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 »