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Exercise

Exercise helps with the overall management of arthritis. It not only helps to relieve stiffness but can save your joints from deformity.

Click here and get more information on Challenging Arthritis which has a great module on exercise. This module helps you to develop an exercise plan that will suit your condition.

Have a think about this:

• Are your knees stiff after squatting down for a period of time?
• Does your back hurt?
• Do you have constant neck and back pain with no relief?
• Do you have tennis elbow?
• Does pain interrupt your sleep?

If you answered yes to any of these click here for a free copy of the booklet Living Well with Arthritis

Ron’s Story

Ron is 67 years old and wants to tell you his story of how arthritis has affected him.

“When I was fifteen and sitting for my final school exams my father died suddenly. That left me the eldest child to look after my Mother and my two younger sisters. Joe our next door neighbour said to me finish your exams and then come with me into my building business as an apprentice carpenter.

"Joe’s factory where they made windows for the new houses and where I started work was 25 Kilometres from our place and I had very little money so I decided to ride my push bike to work and back each day. I rode this 50 kilometres a day, five days a week for three years until I could get my licence and buy a car to drive to work.

"When I was in my late forties I started to get really bad pain in both of my knees and hips and I was referred to a specialist who said I had arthritis in lots of my joints. My Xrays of my pelvis and hips showed multiple bony growths (osteophytes) where the muscles were inserted into the bone. There was not much treatment except something to stop the pain.

"I have always been very physical both in my work and in gardening at home and my arthritis pain continued to get much worse. Occasionally the Doctor would give me some inflammatory tablets but I was always concerned about them giving me stomach ulcers so only took them if I was really bad.

"Some years ago my Doctor suggested that I try Glucosamine Tablets because they had been tested in a trial in the UK and he thought they might help. By that time my arthritis pain was so bad that when I awoke in the mornings and stood up I would not be able to take my first step for about three to five minutes until the pain eased. So I commenced the Glucosamine Tablets at the recommended dose of 1500 mgs per day and after about three weeks of taking them I was totally amazed, my pain improved and I could get up out of bed and walk straight to the bathroom. I try to keep active to keep my joints moving even if I have some level of pain.

DO NOT TAKE GLUCOSAMINE IF YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO SEAFOOD OR YOU HAVE GOUT

"My message to you is, don’t overdo exercise activity when you are young as I am sure my extensive bike riding contributed to the degree of arthritis I had in my middle age."

Links for assistance

Depression

Black Dog Institute - www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Beyond Blue - www.beyondblue.org.au

General medical

My Dr: General site for medical issues - www.mydr.com.au. Click on Mens Health

International Men’s Health Week: This is held every year in mid June. This website list dates for the next three years and activities occurring in the week - www.menshealthweekaustralia.org

Mens Health Information and Resources Centre: A website dedicated to enhancing the well being of men and boys. It includes news, articles, resources and projects - www.menshealth.uws.edu.au

NSW Department of Health, Men’s health - www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/men.html

Weight Loss

WeightWatchers for men - www.wwfm.com.au

Media Articles

Health Insite – Articles on Mens Health issues - www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/men_s_health

Health matters: Media articles relating to Mens Health - www.abc.net.au/health/library/menshealth.htm

Mens Health Information and Resources Centre: A website dedicated to enhancing the well being of men and boys. It includes news, articles, resources and projects - www.menshealth.uws.edu.au

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