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7 Ways to Get Involved This Arthritis Awareness Month

Living Well

April 11, 2023

Content created for the Bezzy community and sponsored by our partners. Learn More

Photography by Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy United

Photography by Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy United

by Cindy Blye

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Medically Reviewed by:

Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

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by Cindy Blye

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Medically Reviewed by:

Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

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From lower-lift activities, like joining an online support group, to all-in options, like planning your own fundraising event, you can get as involved as you want to. Sitting out awareness month is A-OK, too.

Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults live with one or more of the 100+ types of arthritis. Living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or loving someone with arthritis can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming.

Because arthritis is often invisible to the casual observer, many people with arthritis are left feeling unsupported and misunderstood.

Each May, Arthritis Awareness Month spotlights the condition and how arthritis impacts individuals living with it. The awareness month also offers opportunities to support people with arthritis and help raise money for research.

If you’re living with PsA, participating in Arthritis Awareness Month is completely optional. If you prefer to sit this one out, know that others are fighting for you and supporting arthritis awareness on your behalf.

However, if you feel ready to be a part of Arthritis Awareness Month, there are so many ways to get involved — and your level of involvement is totally up to you. Whether you want something low-effort or you feel like going all out, here are seven ideas to get you started.

Join the free PsA community!
Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.

Want to participate in a small way?

If you only want to get a taste of Arthritis Awareness Month, this section is for you.

Join a support group

A support group can be a great way to connect with a community. Support groups provide a safe space to share struggles and successes. Group members encourage each other and may offer tips and advice based on their own experiences.

To find a PsA support group, consider both online and local options, such as:

  • Live Yes! Connect Groups, run by the Arthritis Foundation — these are online and vary by location, interest, or type of arthritis
  • Meetup groups
  • Facebook groups

And of course, the Bezzy PsA community is always here to lend an ear.

Practice self-care

Self-care is anything you do that helps you get or stay healthy. Here are three options that can help soothe joints and reduce pain:

  • Get outside and move: Participating in regular joint-friendly physical activity can reduce arthritis pain, improve joint function, and improve your mood and quality of life.
  • Consider practicing yoga or tai chi: Are stiff joints holding you back from walking, biking, or hiking? The low impact movements and poses of yoga and tai chi may help reduce joint pain.
  • Treat yourself to a massage or an acupuncture session: Like a warm bath, massage can increase blood flow and may help relieve arthritis pain. Acupuncture may help with pain by reducing inflammation and causing your body to release pain-killing hormones called endorphins.

Before participating in any new physical activity, be sure to check with your doctor and listen to your body.

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Feel like doing a little more?

If you want to make an impact without leaving home, check out these options for paying it forward from the comfort of your couch.

Raise or donate money for arthritis research

Arthritis affects approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults and is the leading cause of disability among Americans. Organizations, like the Arthritis Foundation, are constantly working to find better treatments.

But research is expensive. Raising money to help fund this important research is a worthy endeavor.

Donate to support arthritis research or create a Facebook donation page for Arthritis Awareness Month, letting friends donate to the arthritis foundation of your choice.

Share your story

It doesn’t have to be a long post, but sharing a bit of your story on social media and connecting it to Arthritis Awareness Month can help others understand how psoriatic arthritis affects you and other people living with arthritis.

Telling your story also gives friends and family a chance to reach out and offer help, either by donating to an arthritis foundation or maybe asking if they can watch your children while you practice some self-care.

The Arthritis Foundation can help you find a platform to share your story. This could be by writing a blog post, adding to the foundation’s story bank, or meeting with policymakers.

Get political

Call your state and local government officials and ask them to support people with arthritis by advocating for lower out-of-pocket costs for arthritis care, treatment, and medications.

In some areas, it can be hard to find a specialist who treats arthritis. Ask your senator or congressperson to encourage medical schools to steer more students into specialties that treat arthritis.

Ready to rock and roll?

Want to take some serious action? Here are two options if you’re up for an outdoor activity or enjoy meeting and talking with groups.

Participate in the annual Walk to Cure Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is something many people can do, regardless of fitness level. Walks are held in many communities across the United States. You can sign up online to walk or donate.

Set up a fundraising event

The National Psoriasis Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Arthritis National Research Foundation offer ideas and assistance for organizing a local fundraising campaign for arthritis research.

Whether you love biking, walking, running, photography, galas, golfing, dancing, creating music, or art, there are many opportunities across these platforms to help raise money in a big way.

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The bottom line

Participating in Arthritis Awareness Month is entirely voluntary. If you decide not to get involved, you may be comforted knowing that folks are coming together to support you and others living with PsA.

If you’re considering participating in Arthritis Awareness Month, there are many activities to choose from. Consider options ranging from simple self-care steps to bold, take-charge fundraising endeavors.

Medically reviewed on April 11, 2023

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Join the free PsA community!
Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.

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Have thoughts or suggestions about this article? Email us at article-feedback@bezzy.com.

About the author

Cindy Blye

Cindy Blye is a nurse and health writer/journalist in North Carolina. Her works have appeared in various nursing blogs and online health news websites. She’s passionate about helping people live healthier and more energetic lives. When she isn’t writing, you can find her gardening, cooking, hiking, biking, reading, or eating dark chocolate.

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