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Featuring Dr. John Wade, MD, FRCPC Vancouver, BC

Gout Treatment Side Effects
  • Reduced Inflammation:
    Exercise can help lower inflammation, a key factor in arthritis pain and damage.
  • Weight Management:
    Exercise can help individuals with arthritis maintain a healthy weight, reducing stress on weight-bearing joints.
  • Improved Mood and Energy Levels:
    Exercise can boost mood and increase energy levels, combating fatigue often associated with arthritis.
  • Better Sleep:

    Exercise can improve sleep quality, which is crucial for managing arthritis symptoms. 

  • Reduced Pain and Stiffness:
    Exercise can help reduce joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
  • Improved Joint Function:
    Exercise can improve the range of motion and flexibility of affected joints.
  • Increased Strength:
    Strengthening muscles around joints provides support and protection, reducing stress on the joints.

Arthritic Nutrition: MINDS MUSCLE MEALS

The power of nutritional management with arthritic conditions.

Dr. Maziar Badii, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Health benefits of Bell Peppers in relation to arthritis.
  • Anti-inflammatory potential: Some compounds in peppers may have anti-inflammatory effects, but evidence that eating bell peppers specifically reduces arthritis pain or disease activity in humans is limited.

  • Low calorie and nutrient-dense: They provide vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants without adding many calories, making them a useful component of an overall healthy eating pattern.

Bell peppers and arthritis

Bell peppers can be a useful part of an arthritis-friendly diet, although they don’t treat or cure arthritis.

  • Vitamin C: Bell peppers, particularly red and yellow varieties, are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C supports collagen production and connective-tissue health and also acts as an antioxidant.

  • Antioxidants: They contain carotenoids and other antioxidant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress. Red peppers generally contain more carotenoids than green peppers.

Dr. Maziar Badii, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Health benefits of Eggplant in relation to arthritis.

Featuring Dr. Stefanie Wade, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Rheumatologist, and a Registered Dietician, and a Kinesiologist, talk about the health benefits of Lettuce in relation to arthritis management.

Featuring Dr. Stefanie Wade, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Rheumatologist, and a Registered Dietician, and a Kinesiologist, talk about the health benefits of Beets in relation to arthritis management.

Featuring Dr. Jason Kur, MD, FRCPC Vancouver, BC

Symptoms and treament of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment

There is no single cure, but treatment can substantially control inflammation and reduce the risk of permanent joint damage. Doctors may use:

  • DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), such as methotrexate

  • Biologic or targeted medications when appropriate

  • Short-term corticosteroids in some circumstances

  • Physical or occupational therapy

  • Regular physical activity adapted to the person’s abilities

Early diagnosis and treatment are important, because ongoing inflammation can cause irreversible joint damage.

Common symptoms

  • Painful, swollen joints, often affecting the hands, wrists, and feet

  • Morning stiffness that may last longer than 30–60 minutes

  • Symptoms often occurring symmetrically—for example, both hands

  • Fatigue and reduced energy

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Sometimes fever or loss of appetite

RA can also affect organs outside the joints, including the eyes, lungs, skin, and cardiovascular system.

Arthritic Exercise: MINDS MUSCLE MEALS

Power of exercise in dealing with arthritic conditions.

Mr. Nick Pratap, Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC

Home Exercise Program - Walking

Mr. Nick Pratap, Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC

Home Exercise Program - Lateral Raise

Mr. Nick Pratap, Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC

Home Exercise Program - Plank

Mr. Bradley Vance, Physiotherapist, Surrey, BC

Physiotherapist - Kinesiologist, talks about osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle joint.

Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the foot or ankle occurs when the cartilage and other tissues within a joint gradually deteriorate. This can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, OA is not primarily an autoimmune disease.

Common symptoms

  • Pain during walking or standing, sometimes worse after activity

  • Joint stiffness, particularly after resting

  • Swelling or tenderness around the joint

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Grinding, clicking, or a feeling of the joint catching

  • Bone enlargement or bumps around affected joints

  • Difficulty wearing certain shoes

The ankle, big-toe joint, and joints in the midfoot can be affected. Previous ankle injuries or fractures, repeated joint stress, abnormal foot mechanics, and increasing age can increase the risk.

Types of Exercise for Arthritis:
  • Low-Impact Activities: Walking, swimming, cycling, and water aerobics are generally recommended as low-impact options that are gentle on the joints.
  • Range of Motion Exercises: These exercises focus on improving joint flexibility and mobility. 

    Strengthening Exercises: These exercises help build muscle strength to support and protect joints. 

    Aerobic Exercise: Activities like walking, swimming, and cycling can improve cardiovascular health and endurance

Dr. Navjot Dhindsa, Rheumatologist, Surrey, BC

Rheumatologist talks about treatment options for RA

Treatment and management

Treatment is generally aimed at reducing pain and maintaining mobility:

  • Supportive footwear: Well-fitting shoes with appropriate cushioning and support can reduce stress on the foot and ankle.

  • Exercise and physical therapy: Strengthening and range-of-motion exercises can improve function without necessarily worsening the arthritis.

  • Weight management: If applicable, reducing excess body weight can decrease mechanical stress on weight-bearing joints.

  • Pain medication: Acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory medications may help some people, but suitability depends on the person’s health and other medications.

  • Orthotics or braces: These can sometimes improve alignment and reduce pressure on an affected joint.

  • Injections: A clinician may consider corticosteroid injections for selected patients.

  • Surgery: If severe pain and disability persist despite nonsurgical treatment, procedures such as joint fusion or joint replacement may be considered depending on the specific joint involved.

Chronic pain, inflammation, and stress from living with arthritis can directly worsen mental well-being, while mental health struggles can, in turn, exacerbate physical arthritis symptoms, creating a “chicken-and-egg” cycle. Managing both physical and mental health is crucial for individuals with arthritis, and strategies can include exercise, good sleep, social support, and seeking professional help

Dr. John Watterson, MD, FRCPC , Vancouver, BC

Treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Dr. Vivien Brown , MD, FRCPC , Toronto

Educational Video on who gets osteoporosis.

Dr. Jason Kur, MD, FRCPC, ABIM, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dr. Grant Lum Sports Medicine ,Toronto.

Rheumatoid arthritis and knee pain.
Isometric exercise is a beneficial and low-impact option for people with arthritis because it strengthens muscles without moving the joints, which can reduce pain and aggravation

By contracting muscles and holding positions without joint motion, these exercises build strength, improve joint stability, and can even have a pain-relieving effect. Examples include holding a squat, pressing palms together, or doing a abdominal contraction