Controlling Arthritis Pain With Life’s Little Joys

I have a creative side to me, whether it comes to music, art, gardening or food, I like to make things that I feel are nice. (I’m going to say ‘nice’ because others may not share the opinion that it’s great!)

I thought I was going to lose the ability to accomplish some of these passions when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before I got things under control, it was difficult because my hands would hurt so much. I couldn’t play the piano for more than ten minutes, the guitar was out of the question, and holding certain tools were impossible, especially power tools because of the vibrations. Walking my dog, Titus, was quite the task, my knees were screaming after a quarter mile. Gardening tools were a challenge as well.

That’s turned around for me and now I use my hobbies to keep the arthritis at bay. Keeping my hands busy is keeping my hands healthy- it gives new meaning to the phrase ‘idle hands are the devil’s work’!

I play my piano for at least 20 minutes every day keeping my fingers nimble which in turn makes it easier to stretch my fingers across the guitar frets and the ability to hold a fine paint brush without shaking. Using gardening shears, the lawn mower, power drills are a cinch now because I keep my hands well exercised, although it hasn’t helped with my co-ordination (I dropped a drill and broke my right foot this past May!). Taking Titus for a 3 mile walk is making both of feel incredible and I’ve added in daily, extra legs exercises which has made my knees and feet stronger than they were before I had arthritis.

Keeping up with my passions has not only helped physical health but it has benefited my emotional health as well. Depression is a reality when faced with a disease and I’ve had my share of it. I can be an endless cycle pain leads to inactivity, inactivity leads to more pain, breaking cycle is a daunting hurdle but not impossible. I started in small doses and slowly increased, now I’m in a new cycle. Activity leads to freedom of pain and the blues and vice versa!

My muses are no longer just inspirations but keys to my health and a large part of my fight against Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’ve got to go- there are weeds to pull and songs to play!

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