According to figures from the NHS, rheumatoid arthritis affects around 400,000 people in the UK [1]. It’s a long-term condition that causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints - most notably the hands, feet, and wrists. It’s rarely isolated on one side of the body – if it affects one wrist for example, it’ll likely affect the other one too.
It’s not a ‘steady’ condition where there’s discomfort all the time. It’s cyclical, meaning there may be periods where symptoms become worse, known as flare-ups or flares.
In this article we’re going to look at evidence-based approaches to managing rheumatoid arthritis. We’ll investigate what can be done to help sufferers reduce the severity of the condition and help them to lead much more normal, pain-free lives.