Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again

From Pain-Free Arthritis :

If you are among the 70 million adults diagnosed with arthritis, you know the pain, stiffness, and outright misery it can cause. You can change that right now with this book!

Pain-Free Arthritis gives a proven 7-step program filled with workable solutions-natural and medical-that you can start immediately, as you finally get relief from debilitating and persistent pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other pain-related problems. Unlike other books you may have read, the pain-free program does not focus on one "cure" or remedy to end arthritis pain-there is no one cure that can do this. Rather, I give you a proven, tried-and-true holistic program that focuses on a wealth of alternative therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications, if needed, to decrease pain and stiffness.

7 Simple Steps to Stop the Pain and Stiffness of Arthritis

Step 1: Start the Exercise Rx
Step 2: Follow the Pain-Free Nutritional Plan
Step 3: Try Alternative Therapies
Step 4: Make Key Lifestyle Changes
Step 5: Consider Bodywork and Massage
Step 6: Tap into Pain-Free Mind Power
Step 7: Choose the Latest Medical Treatment

A pain-relief expert reveals a proven and unique seven-step program for alleviating arthritis pain

Although sixty-six million American adults suffer from arthritis, Pain-Free Arthritis is the first book by an established rheumatologist to present an effective program to alleviate its often incapacitating pain. Over the last twenty years, Harris H. McIlwain has treated thousands of arthritis-pain sufferers who have found lasting relief by following his treatment program. Scientists have learned a great deal about the mechanisms and types of arthritis in the last few years. McIlwain has distilled this information to its practical essence: the entirety of this book is not geared toward explanation but toward natural relief.

The program created by McIlwain shows readers how to eliminate arthritis pain in joints, knees, wrists, hands and fingers through:

- preventative and therapeutic exercise ?
- a low-fat, anti-inflammatory diet reducing Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- alternative therapies that really work?
- the latest prescription drugs

Victims of any variety of arthritis will find concrete, feasible suggestions enabling them to resume a normal, active life. Now McIlwain's successful methods are made available to all arthritis sufferers for the first time.

With nearly 70 million people in the U.S. afflicted with some type of arthritis, the search for effective treatments has intensified over the past few years. Here, McIlwain, a rheumatologist and founder of the Tampa Medical Group, offers a comprehensive and clear overview of the treatments including exercise, diet, drugs and alternative therapies. According to McIlwain, the first step for most patients is to start an exercise program, whether it be walking or more strenuous activities. Many people suffering from arthritis are overweight, making it difficult for them to exercise. However, the combination of weight loss and exercise often provides immense relief. McIlwain's advice regarding diet is equally sensible-there isn't one cure-all or one food that should be avoided. He advises eating, more frequently, meals composed of more fresh vegetables and foods with low-glycemic levels such as soybeans and lentils. His suggestions to avoid certain trigger foods that may worsen certain symptoms are helpful. The author also discusses alternative treatments such as chiropractic, massage and acupuncture, and offers an excellent box on "Choosing a Practitioner and Therapy." This is a very useful book, particularly for people who have not found relief from a variety of treatments. The writing is clear and the author doesn't "oversell" one treatment over another. The weakest part of the book is the recipe section, which seems to be an afterthought.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Harris H. McIlwain, M.D., a board-certified rheumatologist, is the founder of the Tampa Medical Group. He has served as chairman of the Florida Osteoporosis Board since its inception five years ago. Town and Country has twice named him one of the best doctors in America.

Debra Fulghum Bruce, Ph.D., has written more than 2,500 articles and sixty-five books on various health topics.