Forget the 'Old' Stereotypes - New Survey Reveals that Baby Boomers Are Feeling More 'Young' and Active ...(arthritis pain sites: the hand & wrist k...),Health

"Life doesn't need to stop because of an arthritis flare-up," said baby boomer Julie Isphording, former Olympic marathon runner, and health and wellness expert who has suffered from OA for 10 years. "My health is very important to me, so I choose not to let my achy joints interfere with my active lifestyle. Instead, I look for treatments that help me cope with my arthritis symptoms and offer me the freedom to continue doing the things I love."

Boomers surveyed agree with Isphording. Sixty-nine percent of boomers choose to work through their arthritis pain instead of letting it stop them from living a full life. And seven out of ten boomers say that muscle or joint pain interfering with their lifestyle is a bigger annoyance than making sure they get enough exercise and stay fit (73 percent vs. 27 percent). Three- quarters of boomers keep an active lifestyle to stay healthy; and majority (53 percent) exercise or engage in other physical activities at least two to three times a week.

And the boomer generation has every intention of staying active. Forty percent of boomers surveyed said they are living healthier and are more physically fit than they were in their 20s. These active adults regularly participate in activities such as hiking, cycling and bowling. In fact, one in three boomers who have children (33 percent) boast they could beat them in at least one sport such as golf, bowling or tennis. And more than one-third of respondents would consider going to a night club (38 percent) or attending a rock concert (33 percent) in the next year.

Bill McCarberg, MD, founder of the Chronic Pain Management Program for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, recommends long periods of heat therapy for active boomers suffering from osteoarthritis symptoms. "Recent studies have shown using heat therapy to treat OA results in significant therapeutic benefits, including greater pain relie
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