Today is…..

All things health


Here in Australia today is Rattle Ya’ Bones Day.
Rattle Ya’ Bones Day is an outcome of a consumer survey report
‘Making the Invisible Visible’

Rattle Ya’ Bones Day is a National Day of Awareness for all muscle, bone and joint conditions. It’s held every year on Halloween (31 October).
Also known as musculoskeletal conditions, these conditions are often downplayed as “normal wear and tear”, “just aches and pains” or “part of getting older”. source

Musculoskeletal conditions involve pain that may affect bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, bursae and/or tendons. The pain can be acute (sudden and severe) or it can be chronic (long-lasting). Depending on the condition, the pain may be localised around one area of your body, or it may affect your entire body.

Because musculoskeletal conditions are internal structural conditions, many patients feel as if their pain and suffering is invisible, which is why, in many instances, mental health issues and musculoskeletal conditions come together. source

Muscle, bone and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, back pain, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia are the leading contributors to disability worldwide.  And yet, most people are unaware that seven million Australians live with these conditions.
Musculoskeletal Australia says that’s why Rattle Ya’ Bones Day was created; to make these invisible, painful conditions visible and to let people know that help and support are available source

Would you like to see what my ‘bad back’ looks like?.
I try not to (because who wants to hear someone moaning & groaning) but I know I have mentioned my ‘invisible ailment’ before
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

(notes from my Chiro in case I needed treatment whilst away.
“Catherine’s most recent CT scan does note marked disc space narrowing at the L1/2 level with marginal osteophytes. Spinal stenosis is evident throughout the lumbar spine; severe at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels and moderate at the L2/3 and L5/S1 levels. Facet joint degenerative changes are also present at these levels.”
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Monday morning has rolled around again, I’m finding it a bit cool this morning so after I’ve finished my early cuppa will have porridge for breakfast.
Then a little later I’ll be off down to the pool.
Some exercises – some water walking or even ‘running’ – a bit of swimming
They all help keep me moving

Andrew spoke about his recently – other bloggers talked to him about theirs
Are you willing to talk about your ‘invisible ailment’

12 thoughts on “Today is…..”

  1. Thanks for sharing

    My invisible ailments have a range of issues. My current GP just seems to think it’s my age, particularly with my asthmatic lungs and just said take more when needed! I’m on a Smart Med which basically means it’s the best… I still can’t walk far but am making progress. If there was a public pool nearby I’d do water walking, which is even better for lungs.

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    1. As well as some stretching exercises the pool really is the one thing that keeps me going. And as you mentioned it helps with the lungs as well. I feel better all round when I’m going regularly. Unless a ‘problem crops up’ the winter warmth is better for my back than the cold in Melbourne but I have an issue with the humidity in Bowen, too much in the air and I’m coughing & wheezing like an old man’ !
      My doc thinks regular use of the preventative (purple puffer) is the key to keeping lungs clear – trouble is if I feel ok I think why bother and coast along then until I’m wheezing again. A bit like yo yo dieting

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  4. Hari OM
    I developed RheumArth in childhood and have managed life with it as it has progressed through virtually every joint and into the spine. Somehow I never met any issue with folk not understanding when I reached my limits on things and never felt the need to advertise it. I developed, probably due to the chronic nature of that disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. That’s a tougher one for folk to comprehend – although not so much now that so many are suffering Long Covid, which is somewhat similar in its effects. My bones don’t so much rattle as grind… YAM xx

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  6. I’m right there with you — I have two compression fractured vertebra in my spine. T-5 compressed 78% and T-8 compressed 25%. I developed Fibromyalgia from the chronic pain and chronic depression from the pain and the changes it has made to my life. Take care and I’ll do the same. (p.s. I was in the hospital this past week for an acute episode of Congestive Heart Failure. Went in on Tues. and was stabilized and released in Hospice care on Wed. Doing pretty good right now; just taking it very easy and trying to be a ‘good girl’. LOL

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  7. No problems here but I walk daily and swim in the summer to keep things from rusting up. But hubby has, for a year now, a torn tendon in his shoulder . Not much he can do about it but suffer and not in silence. I am sympathetic but your post today just reminded me to be more so

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  8. I have all the normal old lady syndrome of bad memory and I have to keep moving so that I can move and stiffness. My problem and I’m sure that everybody that’s ever read my blog knows about it is the IBS which drives me crazy and forces me to wear diapers which make me even crazier

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  9. Good idea, so often people forget that not all conditions are visible. I can only mention just getting older and slower and sleepier. I’m lucky I know and for that am grateful, but possibly not enough.

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  10. Thank you Cathy for sharing your story and spreading the world about Rattle Ya Bones Day! A day to shine a light on the more than 7 million Australians who live with a muscle, bone or joint condition. If you or someone you love needs our support you can call our free MSK Help Line and speak with a nurse on (Aus) 1800 263 265.

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