Laurie Sanford - Gentle Yoga for Arthritis: A Safe and Easy Approach to Better Health and Well-Being through Yoga

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Gentle Yoga for Arthritis

Text Copyright 2014 Hatherleigh Press

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN: 978-1-57826-448-3
eBook ISBN: 978-1-57826-449-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. The author and publisher of this book and workout disclaim any liability, personal or professional, resulting from the misapplication of any of the following procedures described in this publication.

Cover Design by Heather Daugherty
Interior Design by Heather Magnan
Photography by Catarina Astrom

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Hatherleigh Press would like to extend a special thank you to Jo Brielynwithout your hard work and dedication this book would not have been possible.

A rthritis is inflammation of the joints, which are the locations where bones meet, in one or more areas of the body. The term originates from the Greek word arthron meaning joint and the Latin word itis which means inflammation. While arthritis is often referred to as one single disease, arthritis is actually the term used to encompass more than 100 medical conditions that are identified by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue that surround the joints. These types of conditions are also called rheumatism or rheumatic conditions. The common denominator among all rheumatic conditions that are considered forms of arthritis is that they all affect the musculoskeletal system, and specifically the joints. Rheumatic conditions are typically characterized by stiffness and pain in or near the joints. Some arthritic conditions (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis) may also involve various internal organs and the immune system. Of course, the pattern, location, and severity of the symptoms will be different depending on the form or forms of arthritis affecting the individual.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that according to a survey conducted in 2013, about 52.5 million adults in the United States had physician-diagnosed arthritis in 2010-2012. That equates to over 1 in every 5 adults in America. Those results showed an increase of 2.5 million from 20072009. The new data is consistent with the future projected estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) which estimate there will be a staggering 67 million American adults living with arthritis by the year 2030.

Arthritis is more prevalent among adults, and is often thought of as an aging condition, however people of all ages can be affected by it. Even children are diagnosed with some forms of arthritis.

Since there is such a large group of conditions that are classified as arthritis, the causes and effects are varied. What they all do have in common is the presence of inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue that surround the joints.

Here is a more detailed look at five of the most common forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and gout.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 27 million adults in the United States and is the most prominent type of arthritis diagnosed in America. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage (tissue that acts as a cushion at the ends of the bones within the joints) breaks down and erodes.

Then the smooth cartilage surface that would normally act as a shock absorber with the movement of bones around the joints becomes thinner and rougher. In more severe instances of osteoarthritis, all of the cartilage may wear away and cause the bones to constantly grate against each other.

The results of osteoarthritis are pain, inflammation, and sometimes a lack of mobility. Patients with osteoarthritis usually experience a deep aching in and around their joints. They may also feel stiffness in the joints after sitting for a long time or when first getting out of bed. Having swelling in one or more of the joints, or hearing or feeling a crunching of bones rubbing may also happen with osteoarthritis.

The most common areas of the body to be affected by osteoarthritis are the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and ankles. The joints in the feet, hands, and cervical spine are spots where osteoporosis is also likely to occur.

Osteoarthritis generally develops in the joints due to an injury, infection, or simply as a result of the aging process. The risk of developing osteoarthritis may also be greater if you have a family history of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive inflammatory disease that inflicts damage on the organs and joint tissues. It is caused by a malfunction in the immune system, the system in the body that normally protects the body against harmful organisms. When rheumatoid arthritis is present, the immune system instead attacks the membrane lining of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the synovial membrane and can eventually lead to the destruction of both the bone and cartilage found inside the joints. The synovial membrane (also known as synovium) is the soft tissue found between the joint capsule and the joint cavity. The result is pain and swelling. It can also lead to deformity and disability if left untreated.

Rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis in that it is an autoimmune disease. That means it is a form of arthritis that results from the immune system attacking its own body tissues. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect body parts other than joints, like the eyes, mouth, and lungs. Any joint can be affected by RA, but the most common ones are in the wrist and fingers.

Symptoms commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis are swelling, tenderness, and warmness in joints; stiffness; fatigue; joint pain; fever; and loss of function in the joints.

It is uncertain what causes rheumatoid arthritis to strike in certain individuals. It is believed that genes, environment, and hormones may contribute to the risk of developing this form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs significantly more often in women than men. It also typically strikes when individuals are between the ages of 40 and 60. However, people who are older and even children can also be affected.