Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which affects 1-2% of the population. It affects women twice as often as men, shortens life expectancy by about 10 years and causes a great deal of pain and suffering. The disease affects the synovium [lining] of the joint which eventually causes a loss in joint function. I would assess your range of motion at each joint, muscular strength and functional movement.

Together we could set goals and develop a programme to maximise your strength, flexibility, endurance and mobility. This will lead you to feeling more confident about managing your disease.

Your programme would generally include the following:

- Prescription of daily range of motion and flexibity exercises   to maximise joint health and function, particularly during   acute flare ups.
- Heat application and assisted stretching as the   imflammation subsides [this has been shown not to   increase joint damage, joint flares or swelling].
- Strengthening exercises to improve muscular strength and   activities of daily living.
- Static exercises; I will teach you to generate muscle force   [work a muscle] without actually moving a joint.
  This can even be tolerated during periods of joint   inflammation and helps to prevent muscle wasting, during   remissions, a more active exercise programme.