I was diagnosed with arthritis in my neck and lower back when I was 27. When I was diagnosed, I stopped my lifting and running because of the symptoms and fear of exacerbating them. I went into a prolonged period of getting depressed and out of shape. I went from being paid compliments for my physique by the girl at the front desk of Gold's gym who used to fitness model to being offered diet advise by my aunt who is a nun. I actually had to hit rock bottom before I said "Fuck it if I die, I die" and went back to the gym. And you know what strengthening the muscles helped my arthritis especially in my neck and helped relieve the tension headaches that would put me in a fog.