Body Image and Arthritis

Living with arthritis can change the way you see and feel about your body, and if you’ve noticed this happening, you’re definitely not the only one.

Research shows that people with inflammatory types of arthritis in particular are significantly more likely to struggle with body image compared to those without the condition.

But it’s also important to remember that not everyone with arthritis will experience these challenges, and when they do appear, they can look very different from person to person.

Body image can take a hit when your body doesn’t feel like the one you used to know. Pain, stiffness and fatigue can affect how you move, how you look and how you connect with others. This is especially difficult when arthritis interrupts the activities that make you feel like you, whether that’s dancing, running, playing an instrument or even handwriting or journaling.

How Arthritis Can Affect Body Image

Arthritis can influence body image in lots of ways, including:
Feeling disconnected from your own body
Feeling less confident when you’re swollen, sore or limited
Grieving activities that once felt core to your identity
Visible changes like joint swelling or joint deformity
Not being able to wear clothes that match your style to prioritise comfort
Changes in intimacy because of pain or stiffness
Weight changes due to limited activity or medication
Skin or hair changes from medications
Feeling judged for using mobility or assistive aids
Already struggling with your mental health from having arthritis.

Studies also show a clear link between pain intensity and body dissatisfaction, meaning the harder your symptoms flare, the easier it is to feel down on yourself.

The Impact of Negative Body Image

Body image sits within our broader sense of self-worth. When arthritis affects that, the ripple effect can be emotional, social and physical. People may start to feel embarrassed, unsupported or hyperaware of their appearance. Some begin withdrawing from friends or public spaces, which can feed into anxiety or depression. Over time, low body image can chip away at motivation, independence and the drive to manage the condition.

It can also push people toward unhelpful coping strategies such as avoiding mobility aids, hiding their bodies under oversized clothing or skipping social events. These reactions are completely understandable, but they can make life with arthritis even harder.

Building a More Positive Body Image

So how do we build a more positive body image for ourselves? A healthier relationship with your body is absolutely possible and can even improve how you manage your symptoms. Research suggests that strengthening body image can support pain coping, mood and day-to-day wellbeing.

Here are some gentle, practical ways to start:

Shifting Your Perspective

Avoid the “all-or-nothing” mindset – Struggling with one task doesn’t make you a failure. Same goes for how your body looks and feels – you are not unattractive or worthless because you have swollen joints.
Focus on what your body can do – Shifting your attention to your current abilities helps break those spiralling “I can’t” thoughts. For example, instead of thinking, “I am devasted that I can’t hike anymore”, try framing it to, “I know hiking will flare up my joints right now and I need to respect my body’s limits. I can enjoy shorter walks whilst slowly building up my strength. I can also make these walks more enjoyable by involving friends or a nice meal afterwards.”
Learning mental techniques to cope with pain – Research suggests how you cope with pain can influence body image satisfaction. Try our Relax and Restore for Arthritis classes to help manage your symptoms mentally.

Nurture Yourself in Other Ways

Spend time with people who lift you up – Surround yourself with people who love and accept you the way you are. Your close circle want to be around you and love you regardless of what your body looks like. Allow these people to lift you up when you are feeling down.
Honour your limits – Understanding your limits is a great way to respect your body and care for yourself.
Focus on how you feel – A great non-cheesy way to practise gratitude is to focus on how you feel. Before and after seeing friends or family, doing movement or exercise, or completing an activity, check in with yourself on how you feel with the goal of feeling content. This can take you out of the mindset of ‘how do I look’ or overthinking about your body.
Set yourself goals – Set yourself exciting and achievable goals that aren’t to do with what you look like or that push past your physical limits. Achieving and celebrating goals, no matter how big or small, increases self-esteem and shows you what you are capable of e.g. a local hike, mastering a skill, art project, dinner party, work-related project.

Change What You Can, With Kindness

Choose foods that energise you – Follow a diet pattern that makes you feel good and focuses on variety rather than restriction. Think Mediterranean-style patterns that support mood and inflammation.
Role model positive body images – Follow people on social media that look like you or are inclusive of different body shapes and sizes. Think about who you are following and ask yourself “does this make me feel good or bad about myself”.
Change your language – Avoid unhelpful language around health, eating, exercise or your appearance. Thinking in binary terms such as “bad” vs “good” only increases shame or guilt when it comes to body image.
Refresh your wardrobe – How you dress can impact how you feel. If you are finding that you can’t wear your current clothes due to your arthritis, then maybe it’s time for an overhaul. Find pieces that feel like “you” and feel good on your body. Comfort and style absolutely can coexist. Try op shopping to save money and the environment too!

Additional Resources

The Butterfly Foundation has some great resources included below and can be helpful and preventative for anyone.

What the Research Says

A recent study explored whether focusing on what your body can do, rather than how it looks, could improve body image for women with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants completed short writing exercises reflecting on meaningful body functions, like hugging loved ones, hearing music, gardening or simply enjoying a warm meal. Those who took part showed increased positive body image and stronger body appreciation and acceptance for at least a month afterward. The study highlights something powerful – even small moments of connection with your body’s abilities can make a real difference in how you feel.

Final Thoughts

Arthritis may shape parts of your life, but it doesn’t get to define your confidence or your worth. You deserve to feel proud, comfortable and at home in your body. Some days will be harder than others but rebuilding that relationship is absolutely worth it. You’re more than your symptoms, more than your limitations and more than your pain.

For more information or support with body image, the Butterfly Foundation is here to help. Visit butterfly.org.au to get support, chat or find a professional.

How Arthritis Can Affect Body Image

The Impact of Negative Body Image