People with arthritis and fibromylgia can live a healthy life by actively managing the physical and emotional problems that come with their disease. The Arthritis Toolkit does not provide cures or miracles. Living a healthy life with a chronic disease is possible with good self-management!
The toolkit includes the basic building blocks for each individual to use in constructing a personal approach to the management of the disease through exercise, pain management, and relaxation. It encourages goal-setting, action-planning, proactive thinking, and acting ahead.
Each toolkit includes the following self-management tools:
- The Arthritis Helpbook
- Information sheets briefly describing common problems and helpful solutions
- Self-test that helps individuals identify the elements and set priorities for a personal self-management plan
- Action Plan description with instruction and examples for developing a unique plan
- Exercise Action Plan with hints and instruction on use of the other exercise and activity materials
- Relaxation and Exercise CDs
- All in one self-contained kit to which the individual can add their own materials
The key to good self-management is learning skills and then practicing them. It will take practice. These are the elements that can help you design an individual program to restore some degree of control over the effects of the disease on the body and activities and live a healthier, happier, more comfortable life!
The Arthritis Toolkit is available through the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center at 573-331-5880 or 888-216-3293.
