The Benefits of Yoga for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis

<p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease</p><p>characterized by pain stiffness swelling and loss of joint function. RA can affect any</p><p>joint but preferentially affects the small joints of the hands and feet. This painful chronic</p><p>condition is often accompanied by reduced quality of life impaired ability to work and</p><p>depression due to loss of function.1 RA is a fairly prevalent chronic disease that affects at</p><p>least two million adults in the United States (approximately 1% of the population); 75%</p><p>are women. The onset of RA can occur at any time but usually presents starting anywhere</p><p>after the fourth decade in women (around age 35) and in the fifth decade (around age 45)</p><p>in men. Prevalence of RA increases with age in both men and women</p>