Arthritis Radio

This week Arthritis Radio host David Martin traveled to Harrisburg, PA to speak with Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer Mann. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 2. Four years ago, Jennifer helped launch the Arthritis Caucus, an effort by the state legislature to direct state funding toward arthritis education and exercise programs. Today she serves on the board of the Arthritis Foundation’s Lehigh Valley Branch of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter and participates in annual events, including Jingle Bell Run and Camp JRA.

In this interview Jennifer discusses growing up with an invisible disease, being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, serving as an elected official, the importance of physical activity and much more.

Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit our Rheum for Wellness Blog and post a comment!

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This week on Arthritis Radio, host David Martin discusses what its like to grow up with Juvenile Arthritis with Shauna Rice, the current 2010 Miss River City in Pennsylvania.

Shauna is an active Arthritis Foundation volunteer, an elementary school teacher and a dance instructor. She is also actively competes in pageants that are part of the Miss America Organization. Shauna held the Miss Crawford County title in 2008, held the Miss Three Rivers title in 2009, was second runner up for Miss Pennsylvania in 2009 and will compete for the Miss Pennsylvania title again in 2010. She uses pageants and her endless volunteer work as a platform to raise arthritis awareness and to connect to children affected with arthritis.  Her message to children and young adults struggling with arthritis… live life to its fullest and don’t get down!

In this episode, Shauna shares her personal experiences with arthritis, discusses her upcoming arthritis fundraising event and gives advice to children affected by arthritis.

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(This is Part 3 of a three-part series; be sure to check out Parts 1 & 2 below!)

We conclude our conversation with Janet McKee who in addition to diet emphasizes “enjoyment” and “happiness.” She says we can eat foods that are delicious AND nutritious, and warns against many American “staples” such as fast food, junk food, processed foods, sugars, and fatty meats. She also has the attitude that you should enjoy eating. Do not focus on what you CANNOT eat, but what you CAN eat. She says you should do things in life that make you happy – personally, professionally, and health-wise. She also encourages living as natural a life as possible – from the way you eat, to the way you drink, live, shop, and sleep.

Plus … Visit our NEW and REVAMPED Arthritis and Wellness Blog for two new companion blogs by AFWPA Executive Director David Martin and WPA’s Ashley Boynes on this amazing interview and join the conversation on diet, nutrition, wellness and the power of our minds…  We want to hear from you!

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(This is Part 2 of a three-part series; be sure to check out Part 1 below!)

“Mind, Body, Spirit” is not ONLY an e-newsletter provided to you by the Arthritis Foundation – it is also an idea that is embodied by living a healthful lifestyle of wellness.

Did you know that what nourishes us can also destroy us? Did you know that what is healthy for one person may not be for the next? These ideas and many more are discussed in part two of our three-part interview with Janet McKee, HCC, AADP – a certified holistic health counselor and drugless practitioner.

Teaching dietary and lifestyle improvements that are both enjoyable and effective are the keys to her successful practice. Janet can be reached through her website at www.janetmckee.com or via email at janet@janetmckee.com.

Visit our Arthritis and Wellness Blog for companion blogs on this interview and join the conversation…  We want to hear from you!

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Food is a key component to good health and having good health is important to live a happy and fulfilling life. For most of us, you need to enjoy the food you are eating to enjoy life. The key is to understand that there are so many fabulous, delicious and satisfying foods that are extremely good for you too. Once someone is given the opportunity to learn and experience positive changes, they become improvements that they enjoy for the rest of their lives.

This is Janet McKee’s personal philosophy on food and health.

This week host David Martin sits down with Janet McKee, a board certified Holistic Health Counselor and a certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, to discuss diet and wellness.

Janet obtained her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and pursued a career in health and wellness by attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in affiliation with Columbia University. Specific areas of expertise include arthritis, cancer prevention, digestive disorders, autoimmune illnesses and more.

Teaching dietary and lifestyle improvements that are both enjoyable and effective are the keys to her successful practice. Janet can be reached through her website at www.janetmckee.com or via email at janet@janetmckee.com.

Visit our Arthritis and Wellness Blog for companion blogs on this interview and join the conversation…  We want to hear from you!

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Every day, millions of people gather in parks throughout China to practice Tai Chi. To Western eyes, they are performing a series of fitness exercises. But the real purpose of their practice is to balance and enhance their vital life energy or chi.

The concept of chi is at the heart of traditional Chinese medicine, which believes that disease is due to blocks or imbalances in the flow of chi through the body. Tai Chi is believed to cure illness, strengthen the organs and improve the functioning of all body systems.

The slow, gentle movements build muscle strength without stressing joints, improve balance, and relieve stress and depression. Tai Chi can be done even by those with severely limiting disease because it isn’t necessary to move very much to raise one’s chi.

This week on Arthritis Radio, host David Martin speaks with Tai Chi expert Michelle Vivio.

Michelle graduated from Slippery Rock Univeristy with a degree in Kinesiotherapy. She has her Aquatic Therapy Certification through the International Council of Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Industry Certifications. Michelle also has numerous certifications through the Arthritis Foundation; she is a Certified Aquatic Leader, Certified Deep Water Aquatic Leader, Certified Exercise Program Leader and Certified Tai Chi Leader.

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In this segment, David and Dr. Terence Starz continue their discussion on Fibromyalgia.

This interview answers questions such as: What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia? How is Fibromyalgia treated? What is the course of the condition? And what is ahead for Fibromyalgia research?

Also be sure to check out Part 1 of this interview, which can be found below in our previous post.

Enjoy the interview!

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This week Arthritis Radio host David Martin sits down with Dr. Terence Starz, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Arthritis Institute.

Dr. Starz obtained his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his Residency and Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Starz is also the Medical Director of the Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chaper’s Board of Directors and is considered our in-house expert on Fibromyalgia.

In the first part of this two part series will cover: What is Fibromyalgia? Who does Fibromyalgia affect? And is Fibromyalgia a new disease?

Please be sure to check out the second half of this informative interview!

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This week Arthritis Radio host David Martin travels to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital to interview, Dr. Paul Killian, a respected rheumatologist, to discuss rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Dr. Killian is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine for Temple University. He has practiced medicine for more than 30 years and is the current president of the Western Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society. Dr. Killian graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

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This week Arthritis Radio host David Martin meets with Dr. Constance R. Chu, to discuss her exciting osteoarthritis research.

Dr. Chu is an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and of Bioengineering. She is the Director of the Cartilage Restortation Program and is on Attending Staff at UPMC Shadyside Outpatient Clinic, UPMC Shadyside-Presbyterian Hospital, and UPMC Southside Hospital. She was also recently named the Ferguson Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine.

Dr. Chu graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1983, becoming the first Chinese-American woman to graduate from West Point. After a distinguished military career, she graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School in 1992 and completed her orthopaedic residency at the University of California San Diego.

Her research interests include: cartilage tissue engineering focusing on stem cell and novel polymer technology and focusing on enhanced clinical diagnosis of early osteoarthritis and responsiveness of the International Knee Documentation Committee.

She sees the potential of reversing early cartilage degenerative metabolic changes as a result of her studies on arthroscopic diagnosis of early cartilage degenerative processes in the clinical setting. Perhaps this will lead to the delay or prevention of osteoarthritis in the future.

Enjoy the interview!

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