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SEPTEMBER 2015 Understanding Arthritis. BRAIN TEASER ALBANY CREEK PHYSIOTHERAPY I am the first on Earth Most people experience joint pain at With this type of arthritis the pain may actually get worse as you rest due to the some point in their lives, and many The second in Heaven will assume that their joint pain is build-up of inflammation. Blood tests and x- rays can help doctors to diagnose the arthritis-related, especially as they I appear two times in a week get older. But what is arthritis? How condition, and treatment by a rheumatologist is central to management. do medical professionals determine You can only see me once in a if the condition of “joint pain” is truly year arthritis? You may be surprised to 3. Gout is caused by excess build-up of uric learn that there are multiple types of acid within the blood stream. The uric acid Although I am in the middle of the arthritis with different symptoms, forms urate crystals, which accumulate within sea causes and treatments. Below we the joint spaces, causing pain and describe four of the most common inflammation. Excess uric acid is associated What am I? types. with a diet rich in meat, seafood, fructose and alcohol, as well as other factors including 1. Osteoarthritis is defined as the obesity, metabolic medical conditions, family degeneration of the cartilage and history, and increased age. Historically underlying bone of joints due to abnormal known as “Rich man’s disease”, gout is also wear and tear. This leads to pain, associated with kidney stones and stiffness, formation of bony spurs and management includes changing your diet to clicking or grating sensations. Symptoms lower uric acid levels. occur most often in the lower back, hips, knees and even the hands. 10 Reasons To 4. Psoriatic arthritis is an arthritis that While osteoarthritis and degeneration will visibly affects the skin as well as underlying occur in most people as they grow older, it joints. People tend to report symptoms such Keep Moving can be made worse by poor posture, as red, white or silvery patches of dry skin, 1. Exercise boosts your brainpower increased weight, abnormal biomechanics pain or discomfort in the skin, or pain in the and poor nutrition. Doctors can diagnose underlying joints. The dry skin may appear 2. Movement relieves stress most cases of osteoarthritis based on on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands and feet, throughout the body symptom history, and may request X-rays or on the spine. Factors that can make the 3. Exercising regularly improves for confirmation. Osteoarthritis is a symptoms of psoriasis worse include stress degenerative condition, meaning it will or anxiety, medications, exposure to energy levels become progressively worse over time. excessive sunlight, smoking and alcohol, or 4. Fitness can be easy to fit into
injury to the skin. your day
2. Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to the If you suffer from arthritis, contact your GP 5. Fitness can help build friendships autoimmune classification of diseases, and friendly physio for advice and proper 6. Exercising helps ward off which is where the immune system assessment. They will help to guide your diseases becomes confused and attacks normal exercise journey and assist with other pain tissues in the body. The body mistakenly management strategies, helping to keep you 7. Exercising improves your heart’s mounts an inflammatory reaction around active and healthy. Activities such as efficiency the joint capsule, which over time leads to hydrotherapy, Pilates, and stretching have 8. Exercising regularly improves destruction and deformity. their place in maintaining correct posture and strengthening muscles appropriately to sport performance Usually many joints are affected, protect the body in areas of pain. The above 9. Weight loss is not the most particularly small joints in the hands and advice does not take the place of proper feet and around the lower back. While it is medical consultation. If you think you important fitness goal characterized by periods of exacerbation may have an arthritic condition, it is 10. Exercising keeps your muscles and relief, ultimately this is a progressive advisable to seek professional medical and joints healthy disease that will become worse over time. advice for the correct treatment.
Focus On… Genetics, environment and frequent How can physio help? gastrointestinal infections are among the Ankylosing pre-disposing factors. Men are more Ankylosing Spondylitis responds well to commonly affected than women and physical activity. Your physiotherapist will Spondylitis diagnosis tends to occur between the ages assess your spinal movement and posture of 17 and 45 years. as well as strength and overall movement What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? ability. They will assist you with performing What are the signs and appropriate stretches and strengthening Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of symptoms? exercises to maintain your posture, spinal inflammatory arthritis, causes inflammation strength and mobility. If your hands, feet, and pain in the spinal column as well as Back pain and stiffness are the two most hips or shoulders are involved, they will other joints in the body. The classic marker common symptoms of Ankylosing also provide you with specific exercises to of Ankylosing Spondylitis is involvement of Spondylitis. Other symptoms include neck help maintain mobility and strength in the sacroiliac joints, which are large joints and buttock pain, as well as pain in the those joints. connecting the pelvic bones to the sacrum smaller joints of the hands and feet. in the lower back. Tendons and ligaments may also be In many cases, people can participate in affected. group exercise programs in a pool and on In many cases of Ankylosing Spondylitis, land. Exercising in a pool is beneficial due inflammation within the spinal column can Symptoms tend to be worse following to the buoyancy factor; people do not have cause new bone to begin forming between periods of rest, and better following periods to weight bear on sore and inflamed joints, the vertebrae. Vertebrae are the individual of activity. It is common for people to however are still able to stay physically bones that compose the spinal column. experience “flare-ups” and “remissions” of active. Many studies have proven the This leads the vertebrae to fuse in various symptoms. positive benefits of exercise for those with areas, typically fusing the spine in flexed Ankylosing Spondylitis, such as improved forward, immobile postures. Severity of disease is patient-dependent. rib cage expansion when breathing, and Some people with Ankylosing Spondylitis improved posture of the upper back and As Ankylosing Spondylitis progresses, may experience discomfort in the spine neck. A physiotherapist is also able to other areas of the body may be affected. from time to time, while others experience implement other pain relieving treatments These areas include the smaller joints severe and debilitating symptoms at that can help to manage symptoms. within the hands and feet, as well as the frequent intervals with minimal time in ribs and shoulders. In some instances, the remission from symptoms. None of the information in this disease can affect other systems of the newsletter is a replacement for body such as the skin, lungs and eyes. Many people with ankylosing spondylitis do not seek medication attention, especially if proper medical advice. It is The cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis is not the symptoms are mild. In these cases, the important that you always see a clear, however there are markers and disease is not diagnosed until it has medical professional for advice predisposing factors that may contribute to progressed, leading to increased pain and on your individual condition. the development of the condition. disability for the patient.
Answer: The letter ‘E’ Roast Vegetable and Manchego Salad Albany Creek
Physiotherapy 1. Preheat oven (fan forced) to 220/200°C. Slice parsnip into small pieces and cover Ingredients with oil before placing onto a baking tray
along with garlic pieces. Roast for 20 4 tsp olive oil minutes.
3 medium-size parsnips 2. Cut onion and red capsicum to desired
size and add to baking tray, then continue 3 cloves of garlic, crushed to roast for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Albany Place 2 cup fresh baby spinach, washed 640 Albany Creek Road 3. Place spinach and cheese into a small Albany Creek QLD Balsamic glaze salad bowl with a small amount of olive oil.
1 Spanish onion 4. Mix vegetables and spinach together in bowl. Serve and drizzle with balsamic 2 Red capsicum glaze.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves two. ½ cup Manchego cheese, cubed (07) 3264 3244 PHYSIO TIP…
It is possible to have an active role in your health and the way you age. Never underestimate the importance of proper nutrition, adequate movement and social support in maintaining your health.