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Real life I feel I Am very blessed At 83 years old, Elaine Searle runs several exercise classes a week for more than 50 regulars. Here, she shares her thoughts on pain management, the importance of diet and how exercising your chuckle muscles can really help words: PhiL LattimoRe I was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis when I was 12 years old, and I was in bed for staying heaLthy 6 tipsfor aweek. I couldnt do much sport at school after that. At that time, in the 1940s, they didnt let you do much if you had such conditions, so Icouldnt 1. Take exercise epainful at the time, but when youre young you dont really conditions you can have. Dont swim. It was very ven very gentle exercise improves your let arthritis be in charge dwell on it. joint got older, it didnt affect me that much, as Ikept active I even managed to 4. eaT healThilY its important As I mobility 2. shinty [similar to hockey] editation to eat a healthy diet. If youre playTrY Mindfulness mand a bit of tennis. I regularly cycled everywhere and and being in the moment can overweight youre putting kept on walking as much as I could. help youwork for Barnardos after I movedadditional pressure on your I started relax and take your to Harrogate in 1984, and had to focus a full medical before working with the children. The doctors diagnosed me joints, adding to the pain. undergo away from the pain 3. arthritis in my hips and said I would need to get my hip replaced. Click here to download our withhave a posiTive ouTlook it may be extremely painful booklet on healthy eating or call the helpline on 0808 800 4050 Fat times, but there are worse ood for thought It was when I worked in catering at a rheumatology hospital in Harrogate that I first became aware of how diet could make such a difference to my condition. Inoticed when patients came in that doctors wouldput them on a diet and give them hydrotherapy. They would improve dramatically over six weeks. Then, a few weeks later, they would be back again because they hadnt maintained the diet or carried on with the exercise. That was when I became motivated to try to cope with the conditions I had through addressing diet and exercise. Then, about 17 years ago, I woke up one morning and the only things that didnt hurt were my eyelids. Ifelt pain everywhere in my body. I went to the doctor for tests, and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. When he told me, my first thought was: Thank the Lord for that if thats all Ive got then Im not particularly worried. There is no denying arthritis is a difficult condition and can be extremely painful, but to my mind it could have been many other conditions that are a lot worse. I feel I am very blessed. 6 tips for staying heaLthy 5. Be deTerMined try to manage your pain as much as possible without painkillers, but check with your GP first 6. MainTain The BesT condiTion possiBle if youre having an operation, being toned and not overweight can aid recovery Learning experience Ive always been relatively active, with walking and cycling. When youre younger, it helps your condition but, if you dont stay active, it can get worse. After my husband had a heart attack and a bypass 20 years ago, I ran a heart support group that included an exercise session once a week. I found that the exercises were really useful and helped my arthritis, so Icontinued doing them. I first started running exercise groups around 12 years ago. I had previously been participating in groups organised by the Sittingbourne Active Retirement Association. It was when I went on holiday to Spain for a month and I took my exercise equipment with me that the organisers asked if I would like to teach a class. I was reluctant because, at that time, I wasnt qualified. So when I came back, I spoke to my exercise tutor and she put me in touch with Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS, where I took a course. It lasted a month, during which I learned about the body, exercises, first aid, health and safety, and so on. We were also taught howto organise sessions and the practicalities of running classes. Shortly afterwards in 2004, when I was 71 I took over the exercise group from my tutor. I built it up and now run three classes per week at different locations, with more than 50 people attending regularly some of whom are in their 90s and have arthritis or other limiting health conditions. I also practice reflexology, which I learned in my 70s. I always want to learn new things because that keeps you young. A few years ago, I learned to swim Iwanted to find another exercise that would help my condition and keep me mobile, though I can only really do doggy paddle! Positive attitude An important part of pain management is having a positive mind. There are worse conditions than arthritis that are much more painful and debilitating. You must have a positive outlook it is manageable. It can hurt, but you have just got to be determined to keep going. Dont let it get you down and dont let it get on top of you. I know how difficult it is sometimes, but you must try to manage the pain and be determined. Im not keen on painkillers and dont use them. They can mask the pain, so you can sometimes overdo it and make the condition worse. When you do have a flare-up, you have to go very gently, but start doing gentle exercises as soon as you can to manage the pain. Diet is vital too keeping control of your weight takes pressure off your joints, so you must be careful about what you eat. When I had my hip replacement eight years ago, I thought: If I could walk with all that pain, I can walk with a new hip, and I was determined that it was goingto be OK. Within three weeks, I was walking without crutches. Its important to remember, too, that even if the pain is bad and you are going to have to have a replacement operation its much, much better for you if you exercise, so your muscles are toned and youre not overweight; it helps with the surgery and your recovery. Motivating factor The exercise classes I run can help anyone, but what they offer individuals depends on the way they approach them. If they are determined, committed and come every week, thats fine they get both the pain management and the social element. The group classes give people an incentive because, when theyve done their exercises, they feel much better their joints arent so stiff. And if they come regularly, it helps to manage their condition. People with arthritis can be in constant pain and some give up if they get a twinge. But you must persevere, as movement can really help. I practise mindfulness and meditation in my groups, which is a great help. It relaxes you so much. Ialso do a bit of tai chi and yoga. People fall asleep as it really helps you to relax and when you relax, the pain just melts away. One of the most popular activities we do is new age kurling not on ice, that wouldnt be such a great idea! Its played on wooden floors, and the stones have little wheels on the bottom. I run a group every Monday. Its brilliant; it helps people and it has a really positive effect on them they all enjoy it. Its great to do exercise in a group, as its just as much a social activity as a health activity it helps you to forget the pain. And its always good to exercise your chuckle muscles, too! Its challenging, but I absolutely love doing it I get as much out of it as the participants. I think its important to keep moving, even if it is only moving your fingers and wiggling your toes things like playing the piano, knitting or sewing are gentle things to do. More support Thanks to Arthritis Care, Ive discovered some new exercises. I called the charity last year after Id been introduced to their literature by a local arthritis support group and was given some exercises, which Ive now incorporated into my regime. I also wanted to find out more about diet. Arthritis Care gave me some leaflets on diet, exercise and nutritional pain management [you can find them here: or call the helpline on 0808 800 4050], and Ive been in regular contact ever since. If I had to give anyone advice if they have just been diagnosed with arthritis, Id say keep moving, manage your weight, keep warm, have your five a day and call the Arthritis Care helpline for any further advice, as they are very helpful. An important part of pain management is having a positive mind