Arthritis: How to Stay Active and Relieve Your Pain »

Barbara Stokes is a physical therapist who has more than 35 years of experience working in the field of arthritis. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario. Antoine Helewa is a professor emeritus at the School of Physical Therapy at the University of Western Ontario. His primary field of research and clinical interests are in rheumatology and epidemiology. He lives in London, Ontario.

Addressing the growing number of individuals who suffer from this often debilitating ailment, this indispensable reference explains how to manage chronic or acute arthritis in straightforward language. Descriptions of the most common forms of arthritis and how they affect the body and its joints guide arthritis sufferers through the symptoms and show them how to manage their own treatment with the help of a health-care team. Self-management is emphasized and chapters cover topics such as pain management, working with health-care professionals, medication, exercise, surgery options, intimacy issues, emotional health, social interaction, and alternative treatments.

Preface     vii
Acknowledgments     x
Foreword     xi
Finding Out About Arthritis     1
What Is Arthritis and What Can I Expect from This Book?     3
What Are Joints and How Do They Work?     15
Is Arthritis One Disease or Several?     33
Where Can I Go For Help?     75
How Can Scientific Research Help Me Make Choices?     101
How Can Arthritis Medications Help Me?     119
How Can I Manage My Arthritis Pain?     155
How Can I Stay Well and Prevent Disability?     181
Why Should I Exercise?     195
Getting Healthy and Staying Well     209
Keeping Joints Mobile and Flexible     211
Building and Maintaining Your Muscle Strength     237
Improving Fitness and Endurance     259
Protecting Joints and Conserving Energy     279
Adjusting to the Emotional Impact of Arthritis     311
Enjoying Happy and Healthy Intimate Relationships     327
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices     347
Exploring Options for Joint Surgery     367
Exercising Caution About Cures and Testimonials     381
Epilogue     405
Resources     407
Index     415