Isotonic contractions generate force by changing the length of the muscle and can be concentric contractions or eccentric contractions. A concentric contraction causes muscles to shorten, thereby generating force. Eccentric contractions cause muscles to elongate in response to a greater opposing force.

By lengthening, you’re improving posture, preventing injury, and often, alleviating pain, says Nancy Byrd Radding, fitness director at The Oaks at Ojai. Designed by Radding, this stretching series targets some of the most important muscle groups to lengthen.

Multiple autoimmune syndrome is a condition in which patients have at least three distinct autoimmune conditions. Multiple autoimmune disorders occur with increased frequency in patients with a previous history of another autoimmune disease.

Although most autoimmune diseases don’t go away, you can treat your symptoms and learn to manage your disease, so you can enjoy life! Women with autoimmune diseases lead full, active lives.

Treatment for autoimmune disorders

• anti-inflammatory drugs – to reduce inflammation and pain.
• corticosteroids – to reduce inflammation.
• pain-killing medication – such as paracetamol and codeine.
• immunosuppressant drugs – to inhibit the activity of the immune system.
• physical therapy – to encourage mobility.

No one is sure what causes autoimmune diseases. They do tend to run in families. Women – particularly African American, Hispanic American, and Native American women – have a higher risk for some autoimmune diseases. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases, and some have similar symptoms.

A positive test doesn’t mean that you have an autoimmune condition. Between 3% and 15% of people with no conditions have antinuclear antibodies. Some medicines or other diseases also can cause them.