Funny Dancing Video from Stopain & Arthritis Foundation

I just saw this funny dancing video from Stopain and the Arthritis Foundation.  It makes you laugh and want to get up and get moving!  Enjoy!

Note: As of this post, Stopain is offering a $5 rebate on their products.  If you decide to try it, don’t forget to get the rebate.

Will You Be Walking for Arthritis in May?

It is just about mid-April which means May is just around the corner.  You know what that means…The Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk is soon approaching.

The Arthritis Walk is typically held in May, which is Arthritis Awareness month.  The event is held in various cities and is a way for people with arthritis to meet and know that they are not alone.  It is also a terrific way to get more information from the Arthritis Foundation and meet arthritis-related vendors. 

If you are physically not able to participate in the walk, that is okay.  There are still ways for you to show your support.  You can cheer for those that do walk or even run.  You can volunteer at the walk or even make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of yourself or someone with arthritis.

Don’t forget dogs are welcome too!  They also get arthritis and suffer just like we do.  If your pooch has arthritis and is not physically able to participate in the walk, consider pulling your dog in a wagon.  Children with arthritis are astonished to learn that dogs can get arthritis too.  Your pooch may just make several new friends.

If you will be attending the Arthritis Walk in Lexington, KY on May 9, 2009, consider joining Team ArthriticJoints.com.  I would love to walk with you and hear your stories.  As a bonus, for every ArthriticJoints.com team member that raises at least $25, you will receive your choice of a free Arthritis Awareness magnet or lapel pin. 

If you are already on a team, then just stop by the Advocacy tent to say hello.  I will be volunteering there until the walk starts and would love to talk to you.

Good luck to all!

Join Team ArthriticJoints.com at the Lexington, KY Arthritis Walk

Join Team ArthriticJoints.com at the 2009 Arthritis Walk in Lexington, Kentucky.

On May 9, 2009, Team ArthriticJoints.com will be participating in the Arthritis Foundation’s Annual Arthritis Walk. We are inviting anyone that wants to participate to join the team. Runners, walkers and pets are all welcome!

Each ArthriticJoints.com team member that raises or contributes $25 or more will receive your choice of a free Arthritis Awareness ribbon magnet (left) or lapel pin (bottom). 

If you would like to support the event, but are unable to attend, please consider supporting Team ArthriticJoints.com through a general team donation.  100% of the donation goes to the Arthritis Foundation.  Every little bit helps to fight this disease! 

Show your support for those who have arthritis!  Let’s walk or run together!

When Was The Last Time You Played Golf?

Did you stop playing golf because of your arthritis?  Did you stop playing for other reasons and now your arthritis is worse than it was before?  We all have our different reasons or situations, but as arthritics, it is important to keep moving.  So, why not try going back to the sport you enjoyed?

Golfing is a great form of exercise.  You walk, swing, bend, strategize, etc.  Plus, you get to enjoy being outdoors while having a great time with your fellow golfers.  However, before you run out to the golf course, you need a game plan. 

The Arthritis Foundation has these suggestions:

• Always loosen up before you play. Begin by walking for a few minutes. Spend five to 10 minutes stretching, then take 10 to 15 swings on the practice range before the first tee. Easy practice swings, trunk twists, hamstring (rear thighs) stretches and walking are good warm-up exercises. Start out by hitting higher lofted clubs (like a pitching wedge) and begin by swinging 50 percent to 75 percent.
• Use tees whenever you hit the ball – even on the practice range – to avoid striking the ground and jarring your joints.
• Keep your tension on the shaft consistent. Be careful not to let your arms and trunk become too rigid.
• If you have back pain, you may find that the “classic” swing is more comfortable for you than the modern or reverse-C swing.
• Always brush through the grass so you will hit the ball solidly and carry your momentum out to the target.
• Play from the 150-yard markers if you begin to get tired.
• Consider using energy-saving techniques while you’re on the course. Take only the clubs you use most frequently. Pull your golf bag instead of carrying it, or rent a motorized cart instead of walking.

Golfing is a great sport, even for arthritics, if we take the proper precautions to minimize the effect on our joints. 

Check back tomorrow to see if you have the right equipment!

Did You Send Your Letter or Video to Congress Today?

I certainly did!  You can too!  Just go to the Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Action Center.  Enter your zip code and determine what you want to send.  It is that easy!

If you have not sent your letter or video yet, what are you waiting for?  The Advocacy & Kids Summit continues through tomorrow, March 4, 2009.  Help support the arthritis advocacy effort by sending in your letter or video while the summit is still going on.

If you enjoy giving your two-cents to Congress, then by all means, volunteer to be an Arthritis Ambassador.  It is an important job that anyone can participate in.

Get Involved With The Advocacy & Kids Summit 2009

The Advocacy & Kids Summit takes place on March 3rd and 4th, 2009 in Washington, DC. Approximately 350 individuals will be at the Summit, meeting with Congressional members about arthritis and how it affects their lives.

I am sure many of you would like to participate. The good news is that it is not too late. Get involved with the summit by sending an email to your Congressional members on one of those two days.

Don’t feel like writing an email? Don’t worry. Send a video instead as part of the Virtual Summit! Just make a video that lasts no more than a few minutes. Let them know who you are, what arthritis means to you and what you want them to do about it. It is that simple.

Go to the Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Action Center to get started. Good luck!

Problem with Shoe Laces? Not Anymore!

Arthritic fingers tend to make it difficult to tie shoe laces.  Especially, when you have to keep tying them over and over again.  So, in order to help you with your preparation for the Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk (hint hint), I recommend you try some new laces or go lace free.

If you want to keep your current shoes, then just upgrade your shoe laces to the elastic curly shoe laces.  They are usually advertised for children who don’t know how to tie their shoes yet, but they are great for adults too!  You just run them through your shoes just like you would regular laces, but you only have to do that once.  After that, you’re finished.  The laces, which you do not tie, allow you to slip your shoe on and off.

On the other hand, if you are in the market for new sneakers, look for the kind without laces.  Skechers has various models to choose from.  I have the Women’s Premium Premix in the wide width.  I absolutely love it!  The bottom of the shoe has a wider base which helps to prevent you from twisting your foot.  I buy a couple of pairs at a time, so I always have a backup pair.  The best thing is that I have not had to tie any shoe laces in two years!

Take a look at what Skechers has to offer.  If you’re not quite ready to invest in a new athletic shoe, then try the curly laces.  Either way, you’re bound to find something that helps.

Get Those Walking Shoes Ready!

It’s that time of year again!  Yes, you heard right.  It’s time to start thinking about the Arthritis Foundation’s 2009 Arthritis Walk. 

Those of you that have participated in the Arthritis Walk know that it is a great time.   For those of you that have not participated in an Arthritis Walk before, take a look at the video below.  It shows what you will encounter at the walk and why the walk is so important.

I really enjoy going to the Arthritis Walk.  You meet other people, children and pets that have arthritis.  You meet their friends and families that are their to support them.  You also meet various vendors that can answer your questions.  In years past, I have seen rheumatologists, chiropractors, representatives from joint replacement companies, health-related companies, animal hospitals, etc.

On top of all that, the Arthritis Foundation has tents for Arthritis Advocacy, general information, a children’s area with fun things to do and educational materials.

The walk is usually held in May in numerous cities nationwide.  Find the location closest to you. 

It only takes a few minutes to register.  If you register now, you have time to start a team, raise some funds and start preparing your body for the walk.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on preparing for the walk.

Write your Congressman! The APCCA Needs Your Support!

originally published 5/15/08

The Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act (APCCA) desperately needs your attention.  It has been introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1283) and the Senate (S. 626) in 2007.  However, it is still in Committee.  We need to get it out of Committee. 

What can you do?  It’s simple.  Write your Congressman.  The Arthritis Foundation’s Action Center makes it easy for you to do this.  They have standard letters you can use and they make it easy to determine where your letter should go.  Start with a standard template and add your personal story.  However you decide to do it is fine, just please write your Congressman and support the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act.

If you have any problems, let me know.  I’ll be happy to help.

Arthritis Walk…Going to the Dogs?

originally published 5/10/08

The Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk was held today for the Lexington, KY area.  I look forward to it because it is a place where you can meet great people, learn something new from one of the sponsors and walk for a good cause. 

I must say I had a great time today!  The participants, sponsors and volunteers were a joy to talk with, as usual.  The kid’s tent had activities and face painting and the Arthritis Advocacy tent encouraged participants to support the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act (APCCA).  With all of this, it was a great morning!  However, my daughter seemed to think the best part of the event was seeing all of the different dogs.  She had to go around to each dog to pet it, always asking the pet owner, of course. 

I am glad that we took the time to do this because we learned quite a bit by talking to the pet owners.  Some of the dogs in attendance had arthritis and their owners were walking for them.  Some of the other pet owners were walking for themselves or someone else.  We even met some therapy dogs!

It just goes to show that arthritis does not just affect us humans.  Dogs get arthritis too!  So, bring your dog when you attend your local Arthritis Walk.  They will have as much fun as you will!

Learn more about arthritis in canines from the Arthritis Foundation.

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