Your Fitness: Ageing and Arthritis

As a physiotherapist and online coach - I am reminded on a daily basis that arthritis is something that the majority of people are going to experience at some stage of their life - some people confirming the diagnosis through an x-ray because of ongoing pain, another individual finding out as a result of imaging for a separate investigation with little to no symptoms of arthritis. 

As physiotherapists this is one of the more common things we see people worrying about - in many cases there may have been no symptoms until they were informed by their doctor of the results.

Suddenly a patient starts to feel broken, they hear the words “wear and tear” and “bone and bone” and suddenly they are moving less and starting to feel aches they hadn’t before. They start to feel broken - afraid of the one thing that is going to help - movement! 

As we age it is completely normal to have visible age-related changes on imaging and it can often happen to different people at different stages of life, often varying due to variables like injury history, previous trauma, etc.

The reality is that most people reading this article would have some age-related changes visible on an imaging report if we were to request it - but this likely does not affect how we manage the symptoms. 

Age-related changes shouldn’t be the reason we shy away from movement and doing the things we enjoy. The human body is often more adaptive than we give it credit for - your joints are resilient and are likely going to benefit from stimulus, which should include daily physical activity and strengthening exercise to help build some muscle and strength, a key predictor in your health, longevity and quality of life as you age.

The next time you hear arthritis, I want you to remember 'motion is lotion' and 'I can’t go wrong getting strong'! 

In life we can often experience episodes of pain, stiffness or discomfort. A big part of pain management when it comes to conditions like arthritis is your ability to accept that pain can sometimes come in peaks and troughs - but an active lifestyle and a proactive approach to continue working on your health, fitness and physical activity will most often give you the best prognosis as you age. 

You are not broken or damaged, you are capable and more resilient than you think. Little and often bouts of exercise as you are able, and keep doing the things you love!

As you can see - these are quite simple and effective steps we can take to start working on our health and fitness right away. The take home here is that you are closer than you think!

If you are on the fence about online coaching and want to know a little bit more about the process just email me the word “ready” and I will be in touch! Please get in touch through the contact information below to check availability and avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited. Please visit my website www.coachedbycashel.com for more information.

Lastly, I would also like to clarify that I am not a registered dietician. All advice disclosed here is simply advisory based on my qualifications as a fitness professional and personal experience and knowledge gained working with individuals and helping them reach their goals. The advice given is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

I hope someone out there found some of this information useful here, just some food for thought. 

For any questions in relation to this topic or training, nutrition, etc. or for coaching inquiries simply message me on my business page on Instagram @coachedbycashel_ or by email - contact@coachedbycashel.com