Healing Joint Pain Naturally: Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Other Joint Diseases

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 272 pages
• Published by: Broadway June 12, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 076790561X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0767905619
• Book Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 7.8 ounces

From Library Journal
Here are two new titles offering natural or holistic approaches to the treatment of arthritis. Alternative health writer Brown (Nature's Pharmacy) uses her research and her own bout with arthritis and fibromyalgia to argue that arthritis can be reversed. Her theory is that joint disease is caused by poor nutrition, the build-up of toxins in joints, stress, and energy blockage. Brown describes how she rejected conventional medicine's treatment anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone, and surgery and instead, after some research, began a trial-and-error, self-treating "eclectic protocol" that included fasting, detoxification with niacin, supplements, clay packs, diet, yoga, and relaxation. She provides detailed chapters on these and other therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and copper bracelets for gout, arthritis, and the soft-tissue rheumatic diseases. Brown also lists over 23 pages of references to papers and books on both conventional and alternative medicine. Much of the information Brown offers is not new, and some of it is incorrect or flawed by her interpretation. For instance, she describes fibromyalgia as an autoimmune disease, but the American College of Rheumatology does not classify it as autoimmune or inflammatory in nature. Furthermore, by her own admission, she developed a plan by trial and error that worked for reasons she cannot pinpoint. Not an essential purchase. Ivker, a clinical professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, past president of the Americsn Holistic Medical Association, and alternative health author (Self-Care Guide to Holistic Medicine) joined with naturopath Nelson to develop a holistic self-care program, the "Arthritis Survival Program," that offers "therapeutic options for treating, preventing, and possibly curing osteoarthritis." In a clear and readable style, the first chapter, "The Quick Fix," outlines the essentials of the program and describes herbs and vitamins that can relieve arthritis pain immediately. With Chapter 4, the book goes into the details of the program, addressing the multiple causes of arthritis (unhealthy diet and nutrition, poor sleep, stress, inactivity, environmental causes, negative beliefs and attitudes, etc.). True to their holistic approach, the authors offer chapters dedicated to "Healing Your Body," "Healing Your Mind," and "Healing Your Spirit." These chapters and the worksheets for symptoms, advice on supplements, a Wellness Self-Test, menus, and recipes reinforce the concise information found in Chapter 1. The authors are not reluctant to suggest that there are times when conventional or alternative professional practitioners need to be consulted for care and assistance in safely and effectively using some therapies. These two books handle the healing process similarly, but Ivker and Nelson's training and credentials make them more qualified to interpret and apply available evidence. Recommended for consumer health collections. Lisa McCormick, Health Sciences Lib., Jewish Hosp., Cincinnati
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
For the more than 43 million sufferers of arthritis and similar afflictions, a safe, effective, natural method for reversing such diseases without drugs or potentially harmful side effects.

When veteran health writer Ellen Hodgson Brown found herself suffering from an arthritic hip so painful that sleep was almost impossible, she did not surrender to painkillers or replacement surgery. Instead, she undertook extensive investigation into natural remedies and schools of alternative medicine and devised an eclectic home protocol of fasting and nutritional healing. The result: the arthritis disappeared completely, leaving her feeling better than she had in years.

In Healing Joint Pain Naturally, Brown shares what she's learned in her journey to renewed wellness, in the process proving that the course of arthritis can be reversed. She first investigates the causes of joint disease, looking at the roles of stress, poor nutrition, and energy blockage. She then covers the therapeutic possibilities of altered diet and detoxification; supplementation therapies of natural substances that offer safer pain relief without long-term side effects and that promote healing; and regulation therapies, ranging from exercise, massage, and chiropractic to chelation, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Her belief throughout is that healing is a natural process that can be promoted more by respecting the wisdom of the body than by waging war. Inspiring, wide-ranging, eclectic, Healing Joint Pain Naturally brings a message of hope and bodily renewal to millions who have resigned themselves to a life of pain.


Reader Reviews
The author is not a medical practitioner, but she does share with the reader her own experiences with the various natural approaches to alleviating joint pain. The book helped me realize I'd have to be responsible for my healing and figure out what works for me and what doesn't. I think it's important to check with the experts regarding medical advice, but I found her information a good source of ideas worth researching further. My wrist pain was initially misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (due to a mix up with the blood work), which is why I picked up this book. Although we eventually discovered the mistake the physician had made and I was correctly diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, I still found the information in this book helpful.