Open Letter to America from the Arthritis Foundation About Pain
Arthritis is
painful
… and it’s r
elentless
. The Arthritis Foundation knows the pain our community endures. Based on a survey of arthritis patients, we know that:
Pain is not an easy topic to discuss, but if we bring it out of the shadows, we believe the result will be eye-opening for everyone – and uplifting in mind, body and soul for the 54 million Americans who suffer from arthritis pain. The Arthritis Foundation is advancing a national conversation about the true pain – physical and emotional – that arthritis causes.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
If you live with the pain of arthritis or love someone who does, the Arthritis Foundation wants to make sure we are connected. Connecting is the first step, so we know and understand your story and can reach back out and engage in a personal way – directing you to the best resources and information for pain management and connecting you with others who understand and share your pain. The Arthritis Foundation is your Champion of Yes! Take our pain quiz and visit our pain toolkit .
The pain of arthritis can rob people from experiencing the simple joy of lifting and embracing a child or prevent them from doing tasks most of us take for granted – getting dressed, preparing meals, running errands. Imagine not being able to play your favorite sport or a musical instrument because the pain of arthritis is so crippling you can barely move, let alone participate.
There are many myths and misperceptions about arthritis that we need to eradicate. Here are just two examples.
Surprisingly, many people still believe that arthritis is a problem reserved for the elderly and have no idea that two-thirds of those with arthritis are under 65 . In fact, one in three adults aged 18 to 64 has arthritis, which can develop at any age. Most people don’t know that nearly 300,000 children suffer from the pain juvenile arthritis brings. For a child with arthritis, a carefree day having fun with their best pals is rare.
We’ve come a long way in treatments over the past 70 years. Today, we’re accelerating the latest breakthroughs and amplifying the voices of people with arthritis, demanding that policymakers put more money into arthritis research and make proper health care accessible. But we can’t do it alone. We need you!
Help make arthritis and its consequences more visible so it’s not a forgotten epidemic. Tell your story. Salute someone you love who’s an arthritis warrior. Learn more about your pain and how you can manage it. Together, we can break the pain chain.
The Arthritis Foundation is here for you.
- The #1 goal of arthritis treatment is to “reduce pain.”
- The #1 motivator for seeking out information is “I experienced pain.”
Pain is not an easy topic to discuss, but if we bring it out of the shadows, we believe the result will be eye-opening for everyone – and uplifting in mind, body and soul for the 54 million Americans who suffer from arthritis pain. The Arthritis Foundation is advancing a national conversation about the true pain – physical and emotional – that arthritis causes.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
Stay Connected in a High-Tech World
If you live with the pain of arthritis or love someone who does, the Arthritis Foundation wants to make sure we are connected. Connecting is the first step, so we know and understand your story and can reach back out and engage in a personal way – directing you to the best resources and information for pain management and connecting you with others who understand and share your pain. The Arthritis Foundation is your Champion of Yes! Take our pain quiz and visit our pain toolkit .
Reach One, Teach One
The pain of arthritis can rob people from experiencing the simple joy of lifting and embracing a child or prevent them from doing tasks most of us take for granted – getting dressed, preparing meals, running errands. Imagine not being able to play your favorite sport or a musical instrument because the pain of arthritis is so crippling you can barely move, let alone participate.
There are many myths and misperceptions about arthritis that we need to eradicate. Here are just two examples.
Surprisingly, many people still believe that arthritis is a problem reserved for the elderly and have no idea that two-thirds of those with arthritis are under 65 . In fact, one in three adults aged 18 to 64 has arthritis, which can develop at any age. Most people don’t know that nearly 300,000 children suffer from the pain juvenile arthritis brings. For a child with arthritis, a carefree day having fun with their best pals is rare.
- For both children and adults, the pain of arthritis can be as devastating on an emotional level as it is physically. It often leads to depression and isolation, and contributes to other serious health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Learn more about the many types of arthritis and the tools and resources that can counter its effects.
Join the Arthritis Foundation and Be a Champion of Yes
We’ve come a long way in treatments over the past 70 years. Today, we’re accelerating the latest breakthroughs and amplifying the voices of people with arthritis, demanding that policymakers put more money into arthritis research and make proper health care accessible. But we can’t do it alone. We need you!
Help make arthritis and its consequences more visible so it’s not a forgotten epidemic. Tell your story. Salute someone you love who’s an arthritis warrior. Learn more about your pain and how you can manage it. Together, we can break the pain chain.
The Arthritis Foundation is here for you.
