May is Arthritis Awareness Month

May isn’t just Spring and therefore a month of flowers, but it is also the Arthritis Awareness Month in the United States of America (USA).

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 Americans suffer from arthritis pain. It is projected that by the year 2030, 67 million people in the U.S. will live with arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million.

Arthritis is not only painful but debilitating, thereby directly affecting a person’s physical activity and quality of life.

The motto for this month is GET UP AND MOVE. So very fitting, once again emphasizing how physical activities such as walking and some light exercises are crucial to the managing life with arthritis.

Arthritis can be a painful, life-impacting condition, but its effects may be lessened through physical activity.

Physical activity, such as walking, is crucial in preventing and managing the nation’s most common cause of disability.

In fact, the Arthritis Foundation says Americans cannot afford to be inactive. This simple, inexpensive activity can help achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of arthritis.

According to Patience White, M.D., chief public health officer, Arthritis Foundation:

“Physical activity is a natural pain reliever for most people suffering from arthritis. Walking just 10 minutes, three times a day can ease joint pain, improve mobility and reduce fatigue often associated with arthritis.

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying active through simple activities such as walking. A weight loss of 15 pounds can decrease the pain due to osteoarthritis by 50 percent.”

Okay folks…let’s walk. 😉 Arrgghhh… I really should get my butt off this chair! Sigh.

As the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Arthritis Foundation is working to inform the public of the benefits of walking to ease the pain of arthritis or prevent some forms from developing. In addition to causing pain, disability and loss of independence, arthritis exacts a hefty financial toll on the U.S. economy, costing the nation $128 annually.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month and to get Americans moving, each year the Arthritis Foundation hosts Arthritis Walk events around the country designed to educate Americans about the health benefits of walking while raising critical funds to fight arthritis.

In order to sign up for Arthritis Walk events, visit www.arthritis.org. For a free copy of the Arthritis Today Walking Guide, including tips on getting started, staying injury-free and keeping it all fun, call 800-283-7800 or visit www.arthritis.org.

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