What is arthritis?

The name arthritis stems from the Greek word ‘arthro’ meaning ‘joint’ and ‘itis’ meaning ‘inflammation’. The two most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain & stiffness, and problems moving the joint. Some people also have symptoms such as: - swelling - tenderness - grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints. The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Other people can experience more continuous and severe problems which make it difficult to carry out everyday activities. Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists. There may be periods where symptoms become worse, known as flare-ups or flares. A flare can be difficult to predict, but with treatment it's possible to decrease the number of flares and minimise or prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.

Key symptoms of arthritis include:

• Pain, discomfort and stiffness
• Inflammation around the joints
• Weakness of the muscle
• Restricted movement of the joints

Arthritis pain can predominantly affect your hands, spine, knees and hips, and there is currently no medical cure for the condition.

How can a warm bath help with arthritis pain?

A warm bath can offer 360-degree support to your aching joints, a decrease in inflammation and swelling and also help to increase your blood circulation. Warm baths can also temporarily relieve arthritic pain due to the reduced gravity on your limbs. They are a great place to do some gentle stretches to help to loosen up your joints. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that the optimum bath temperature for temporary arthritic pain relief is between 33.3°C and 37.7°C.

How can a walk-in bath make life easier for those who suffer from arthritis?

Arthritis can affect mobility and balance. If you suffer from this condition, then you will understand how difficult it can be getting into and out of the bath. This is where a walk-in bath can help you.

Our specialist walk-in baths are designed with a multitude of safety features, to help you to be able to enjoy bathing again. From low level entry points and comfortable moulded seats to anti-slip bases, not only do these significantly reduce the risk of slips and falls, they also reduce the likelihood of you being in pain when entering and exiting the bath.

Now is the time for you to rediscover safe and easy bathing!