Arthritis: How My Classes Can Help
Relieve arthritis pain & stay mobile with gentle, supportive classes. Improve strength, flexibility & feel better every day.
Have you just been diagnosed with arthritis and have no idea where to start? Or maybe you’ve had the diagnosis for a while but are confused by all the information you’ve been given. Perhaps you feel like you haven’t been given any information at all, other than the diagnosis itself.
You might have been told that you have arthritis in your femoral neck and left the appointment scared to move your head—not realising that the femoral neck is actually in your hip. Maybe you’ve been told that exercise will help, but you have no idea where to start or are in too much pain to even think about adding in exercise.
Well, you’re in the right place. My sessions help you navigate the jargon, understand your condition, and—most importantly—learn to listen to your body.
Understanding Arthritis
Let’s start with some simple definitions. There are many different types of arthritis, and it’s important to know which one you have. While there are some similarities, each type has key differences. Here are a few of the more common ones, though I can work with most types.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK.
It’s more common in women and those with a family history of the condition, but it can occur at any age due to injury or other joint-related conditions like gout or rheumatoid arthritis. The knees, hands, hips, and back are most commonly affected.
Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult and leading to pain and stiffness. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs. Severe loss of cartilage can result in bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position.
Early osteoarthritis may not cause much pain or trouble, but it can lead to joint damage, pain, and stiffness over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition and a type of inflammatory arthritis.
In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets joints, leading to pain and swelling.
It often starts in the smaller joints and may progress gradually or aggressively. Medication is commonly used to help with the immune response and reduce joint swelling.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is another autoimmune condition and a type of spondyloarthritis. It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as a red, scaly skin rash called psoriasis. Not everyone with psoriasis develops psoriatic arthritis, and not everyone with psoriatic arthritis has psoriasis.
Medication can help reduce joint swelling, and specific treatments are available for psoriasis itself.
Spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthritis refers to a group of conditions that cause pain and swelling, mainly around the joints of the spine. It involves inflammation of small connective tissues that join ligaments or tendons to bones.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of spondyloarthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, joints may fuse together. Additional issues can include inflammation in the tendons, eyes, and large joints.
In response to inflammation, the body can produce extra calcium, leading to new bone growth in the spine, which further contributes to stiffness and pain.
Managing Arthritis: Lifestyle Considerations
Regardless of your diagnosis, a healthy lifestyle is key to managing arthritis. Alongside any medication you take, here are some other factors to consider:
How Diet Can Help
While diet won’t cure arthritis and there’s no single magic food, a balanced, healthy diet is essential. The Mediterranean diet is often recommended, and depending on your type of arthritis, you may want to explore anti-inflammatory foods.
As a general rule, it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough of the following nutrients:
Calcium, Iron, Omega-3 fatty acids, Fibre, Vitamins A, C, E, K, and D
How Exercise Can Help
While you may initially feel wary about exercise, it has many benefits for arthritis, including reducing pain and swelling. Exercise isn’t just about weight management—though maintaining a healthy weight can relieve pressure on the joints—it also helps build muscle mass to support them.
My classes focus on mobility and flexibility, which are key to managing arthritis. If you’re feeling unsure about how to exercise safely, my sessions provide a warm, welcoming environment where you can move with confidence and ease. We focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t, helping you stay strong, active, and independent.
In my classes, we work on weight-bearing and strength-building exercises—without the need to lift weights or go to the gym! We also focus on balance and mobility to help you stay steady and confident in your movements.
If you’d like to explore how my classes can help you manage your arthritis, feel free to get in touch—I’d love to support you on your journey to feeling better!
Ready to Get Started?
Choose the option which feels right for you.