Arthritis survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Natural Health, Dec, 2001 by Karen English

Arthritis survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis BY ROBERT S. IVKER, D.O., AND TOOD NELSON, N.D. TARCHER/PUTNAM; $14.95

JOINT PAIN CAN SLOW DOWN EVEN the most active among us, and osteoarthritis, the degenerative form of arthritis that results from wear and tear, can bring an active life to a total standstill. This book aims to reverse that fate with a program designed not only to relieve pain and improve mobility, but also to heal the whole person--body, mind, and spirit. This holistic mission mirrors that of other volumes in this series, Sinus Survival and Asthma Survival.

Authors Robert Ivker, D.O., an osteopath and member of Natural Health's advisory board, and Todd Nelson, N.D., a naturopath, focus their suggestions on natural therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, and diet. But surprisingly, they've also included a chapter on, conventional arthritis treatments that offer symptomatic relief, including drugs and joint and cartilage replacement.

Also unusual in a holistic book about a chronic disease is the short opening chapter called "The Arthritis `Quick Fix.'" Recognizing that we live in a world that expects instant results, the authors here offer a valuable jump-start to the rest of their program by outlining suggestions for fast pain relief, including exercise, herbs, and nutritional supplements.

For Ivker and Nelson, healing the body is just part of the picture, so they devote more than half the book to recommendations for healing the mind and spirit. For example, they explain how affirmations can speed your progress, and emphasize the beneficial role of unconditional love. Whether discussing therapies tot your body or your mind, the authors stress the importance of choosing the treatments that most appeal to you, and of trying others if those don't work.

The promise of Arthritis Survival, freedom from pain, is ambitious, but given so many options, most readers will find hope as well as help here.