Arthritis Today Magazine

Arthritis Today is a magazine that is published every other month and available by subscription. Actually, you join the Arthritis Foundation and receive the magazine as a benefit. The cost is $20 per year, a very reasonable amount for a magazine that offers cutting edge information to its readers.

This magazine is geared towards any reader who suffers from arthritis. There are many kinds of arthritis, ranging from the most commonly known forms such as osteoarthritis (wear and tear on a joint) and rheumatoid arthritis, to lesser known forms such as Scleroderma and Reiter's syndrome. This magazine provides timely information on specific illnesses in the arthritis category and also contains general articles that benefit the general arthritis population.

Arthritis Today meets my requirements for a good magazine. First of all, it is reader friendly. This means that an article uses language that the common reader can understand; if any medical terminology is used, the definition is provided with it. Second, the magazine provides diversity in its content--general articles on eating, exercising and coping emotionally. Third, the magazine has feedback from readers providing both positive and negative opinions. Fourth, it contains lengthy content on a specific aspect of the illness; in a recent month, Arthritis Today wrote about lupus in depth. Fifth, the magazine contains shorter articles or news columns containing the most recent developments in treatment and/or diagnosis. Sixth, Arthritis Today has a section about real people coping with arthritis; it is intended to encourage the reader about his/her condition.

A recent issue of Arthritis Today had a lengthy article that focused on excuses for why a patient with arthritis does not exercise. It first mentioned the excuse, then proceeded to nullify any myth involved. Practical solutions were offered for each excuse. Upon completion of the article, I found that I was motivated to exercise in spite of my pain; the article contained information indicating that my pain would not increase if I do certain kinds of exercises.

This magazine should be an essential part of arthritis treatment. The information contained within its pages are an excellent supplement to an overall treatment plan. I have found samples of this magazine in rheumatologists' offices.

As a bonus, when someone subscribes to Arthritis Today, they get a year long membership in the Arthritis Foundation. The membership provides local information on benefits available in a regional area, national information, and other mailings. It is definitely worth the $20 yearly fee.