#29: Arthritis - An up to date look at joint pain.

Arthritis is swelling and tenderness in your joints. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common types which more than 27 million Americans suffer from, causes a breakdown in your cartilage - the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint.

When cartilage is good, it cushions the ends of the bones and allows nearly frictionless joint motion. But when cartilage is damaged, it can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. Ouch!

I help clients with this ailment frequently, and one thing I’ve noticed is that many patients have a doom and gloom attitude (as well as a lot of misconceptions) about arthritis. 

Well, here's some news: arthritis is no longer your grandma's joint pain! 

The medical community has come a long way regarding the treatment and prognosis of arthritis, so the idea that it is a condition that you can't help, that it's just going to get worse, and you'll be sitting around knitting sweaters for the rest of your life or popping pills everyday is DATED.

This episode is all about giving you hope! We talk about factors that might put you at risk for osteoarthritis (such as family history, weight, and previous injury) and what you can do about them, as well as what to do if you’ve already got it. Remember: physical therapy should be your FIRST line of defense against osteoarthritis!