{"id":17048,"date":"2018-11-14T14:05:23","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T04:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.studiopilates.com\/education\/?p=17048"},"modified":"2023-12-13T13:52:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T03:52:48","slug":"instructing-clients-rheumatoid-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.studiopilates.com\/education\/instructing-clients-rheumatoid-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Instructing Clients with Rheumatoid Arthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The two most common known forms of arthritis are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The two have very different mechanisms in the way that they cause damage to the joints. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Osteoarthritis is degenerative, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body essentially attacks itself, leading to pain, swelling and decreased function of the joints. In advanced stages, the joints are so badly affected that they can cause permanent deformities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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(Image from Mayo Clinic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As Rheumatoid Arthritis is autoimmune condition, the sufferer experiences other issues that do not have any direct relationship to the joints. Fatigue, and a constant feeling of being ill are also trademark problems of Rheumatoid Arthritis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physiological effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be generalised into two categories – local joint changes, and other systemic issues. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LOCAL JOINT CHANGES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is thought that Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks the Synovial Membrane of the joints but why this happens remains a mystery. Attacking the membrane leads to local inflammation and thickening of the membrane – this is significant as the joint capsule needs to be able to move when the joint it is protecting moves. With the thickening and inflammation, joint movement becomes compromised. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the disease progresses, the autoimmune response then starts to attack the articular cartilage, and also bone. Without the cartilage to protect the bones from rubbing and wearing against each other, the bones not only become damaged from the disease but also just from the fact that they are being used in daily life. The changes at the cartilage and the bone is what can create the bony deformities that is characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joint deformity is the most apparent at the distal sections of the limbs. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are few main symptoms that commonly affect the joints – <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swelling: one of the trademark symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis is swelling – firstly at the level of the synovium, then at the joint. In advanced stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the swelling at the joints is quite evident and can appear puffy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stiffness: because of the swelling, joints can be hard to move and have limited range. This may be worse in the morning, when inflammation has accumulated throughout the night.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain: damage to the articular cartilage and the bone leads to pain. Bone is a sensitive structure and any damage to it leads to a lot of pain signals being sent to the brain. As muscles weaken from decreased use, joint stability is more dependent on the bones, further creating a damaging loop of pain. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redness: redness is a byproduct of inflammation. Just like if you were to roll your ankle and it be red and swollen. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, the redness can be consistent.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These signs and symptoms will vary from client to client, and severity can change from day to day. Sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis can also go through flare ups and remissions very similar to Multiple Sclerosis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OTHER SYSTEMIC ISSUES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other signs and symptoms that aren\u2019t necessarily joint related include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n