I'm sure many of you will have seen in the news recently the shocking statistic that nearly half of adults in the UK are living in chronic pain. That's 28 million of us living in discomfort and agony, every single day.
We know that arthritis is the biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK and that it can have a devastating impact on people's lives. Chronic pain is also often invisible, and as such it can be difficult for people to explain to their loved ones or health care professionals, putting up a barrier to getting the right support and treatments.
When we talk about any form of arthritis, muscle or joint condition, it's this pain that is often the common denominator. We understand that there are many people who are struggling with their condition, and that's why we at Arthritis Research UK are launching our brand new Joint Pain Relief Guide for anyone worried about their joint pain.
The information in our guide is drawn from years of ground-breaking research, to help people manage their condition more effectively. It outlines the benefits of simple exercises, provides expert advice and the experiences of other people living with joint pain.
Maria from Essex, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2012, is just one of the millions of people living with chronic pain in the UK. Her condition causes widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It doesn't stop there though, there can also be a huge emotional impact. In fact, 68 per cent of people with arthritis have reported having depression when their pain is at its worst. Maria told us:
"I have been through the darkest of days, but the first step was accepting that I have a long-term condition that requires a certain level of care, and then actively dealing with the condition on a daily basis. There is a positive future for those with the condition - and self-management has given me control of my life again."
We want to equip people like Maria with the relevant information they need, so they can take the first step towards a full life free from joint pain. If you are worried about your joint pain, you can order your free Joint Pain Relief Guide simply by visiting our website at www.arthritisresearchuk.org/jointpainrelief