Menopause + Arthritis?
Last year I started having severe finger joint pain at night. I'd wake to an intense ache in my fingers, unable to bend them. It came on suddenly and I couldn't track what might have prompted it.
Menopause gets blamed for a lot of things. And rightly so! Common menopausal symptoms include sleep issues, GI issues, hot flashes and night sweats, mood changes, headaches, fatigue, acne, difficulty concentrating, hair loss, and so much more, including arthritis (even though studies on menopause and arthritis vary).
I was also suspicious of gluten contributing to these strange, new symptoms. And then there's my age. Or maybe my other hand/wrist issues were contributing? There wasn't a consistent or predictable pattern.
After cutting out gluten (for real this time), I ultimately decided that whatever the reason, the remedy was therapeutic movement and strengthening.
I dove deep into my toolkit for hand and wrist rehab and found that with even a little attention, not only did my hands feel better, so did my long-time elbow pop and my hyper-mobile shoulder. Even my neck feels looser.
Whether you're in your 30s, 50s, or 70s, it's never too early or too late to have a more systematic and practical approach to your health. Strange symptoms can pop up at any age! The more proactive we are the better.
If you are interested in taking care of your hands and wrists, I have the perfect opportunity...
This Saturday is the Give Yourself a Hand workshop where I am sharing my toolkit on keeping the hands strong and articulate. I'd love for you to come.
There's no magical, overnight fix and I obviously can't guarantee all your issues will be solved. (My fingers still ache once in a while.) I do, however, trust in tending to the body and the power of skillful and loving attention.
Just reply if you have any questions.
With love,
