“You’ve got arthritis”. If you go to a doctor complaining of pain, it’s one of the most common things you’ll hear.
But what does that really mean?
Do you know someone that was told;
“Don’t lift anything over your head anymore”
“You can’t squat anymore”
“No more running for you”
One of the most frustrating things I have dealt with in over 17 years as a chiropractor and 10 as a gym owner has been the advice from most medical doctors in regards to their patient’s pain. With the exception of emergency medicine (think life saving procedures), our “health care” system doesn’t deal with pain very well.
It’s often followed with a prescription for some pain medication, instructions to rest and a laundry list of things you shouldn’t do. It’s the American Way. It’s sad and it is lazy advice by the doctor. They should know better! Not to mention, much of the research on opioid prescriptions for arthritis lacks evidence of effectiveness in the long term treatment for the pain.
“You’ve got arthritis”.
Taber’s Medical Dictionary defines “arthritis” as; “Inflammation of the joints, often accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.”
It’s very likely that in your lifetime, you too will be told you have arthritis. While that may be a fact, it’s also unlikely that it’s the reason for your pain. Being told that you have arthritis and given some anti-inflammatory drugs is the quickest way to get someone out of their medical doctor’s office. With limited insurance reimbursement, the pressure to pack more patients into an hour continues to mount. I don’t want to blame the doctors; they didn’t go to medical school to hand you pain medication and move you along, but, sadly, it’s the quickest way to get the next patient on the exam table.
Unfortunately, upon hearing that word (arthritis), many people throw up their arms, prepared to live a life of pain. They become more sedentary due to fear of making things worse. They stop exercise because the “the doctor told me I have arthritis.” They start to gain weight and now this turns into a vicious cycle.
It started when they heard, “You’ve got arthritis”.
Here’s the major problem I have with this….Current pain research and my years working with people in the doctor’s office and gym tell me this; weight loss and physical activity work well in reducing or ridding symptoms. Like, really, really well. A goal directed approach under the proper supervision of a coach to help you modify physical triggers of pain will yield great long term benefits.
Our personal training and nutrition programs are just what the doctor should have ordered for you. group class
“Arthritis” isn’t a life sentence to be lazy. It doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on things you love to do.
I’m sorry if your doctor just gave you a label for your pain, a list of restrictions and a bottle of pills. I’m sure they were trying their best. Sometimes, their best isn’t going to be good enough for you.
You need more. You deserve more. Your family deserves more of you.
We can help you.
Let us know when you’re ready to learn how.