Health/Natural: Alternative Treatments for Arthritis

Q. Over the last several years, I've developed arthritis in my shoulders and hands. The pain in my hands can sometimes be so bad that I'm unable to perform even simple tasks around the house, and my doctors have been able to do little to ease the situation. However, I have several friends who are into alternative medicine, and they all tell me that I might be able to find relief by using non-traditional treatments. The trouble is, none of them agree as to what would be best for me. Acupuncture, massage therapy, Reiki and homeopathy have all been recommended to me, but I'm confused as to which would be best. My HMO won't cover alternative treatments and I can't afford to try them all. Please help!

A. Thanks for your question. Natural medicine can definitely offer you some relief for your pain, even the possibility for the resolution of it. Natural therapies seek ultimately to balance the body, the emotions, the mind and the spirit. When you are dealing with a persistent set of physical symptoms such as these, it is important to listen to what your body is trying to tell you. The language of symptoms is a topic I speak of often. It allows us to be in better touch with the needs of the inner and outer self, to tap into a more intimate communication with the process of healing from the most simple to the most complex of situations. There are healing modalities that can be applied in a variety of different ways to address exactly what the individual needs. Any well-trained and experienced practitioner you would consult with in the future should take all this into consideration.

In your case, it is easy to get confused, as there really are several good options to consider. The most logical one to consider first is the most easy to overlook, however. You may want to consider the quality of your daily nutrition. In traditional natural medicine, we are taught to look at healthy dietary options first, along with the overall quality of the digestive process. Your daily choice of food can make a huge positive impact on your body, offering better vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fiber, which are all essential for overall wellness.

For chronic arthritis, some basics to think about are to cut back dramatically, or to give up entirely, all meat, including chicken and turkey. Any meat contains impurities, which are difficult to digest, which can throw uric acid toxins into the joints. Meat is also a highly acidic food, which can throw off the internal PH levels in your body. (In natural medicine, chronic illness is usually related to a highly acidic internal environment. This may then contribute to a wide variety of joint problems.) In this part of the world, we eat quantities of meat on a daily basis far in excess of what may be right for our bodies.

You could clean up your daily diet as an experiment, to see how it may help your situation. Eat less dairy and sweets (white sugar in particular), as both these can lead to toxins and acidity internally also. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grain breads and fish can all be healthy options for you. Try to stay away from soft drinks and caffeine, and drink more filtered or spring water, fruit juice, and herbal teas. What may happen is that your body will start to let go of impurities and you may notice an improvement with the pain. A good, high quality digestive enzyme in a tablet or capsule form could also be helpful to aid your body in the digestion of the variety of foods you eat each day.

The natural therapies you mentioned are all good candidates for the treatment of arthritis. You could find a well-qualified practitioner who is trained in several modalities. Perhaps a chiropractor who uses acupressure, massage, Reiki and perhaps physical therapy. Or possibly a practitioner who addresses nutrition, Reiki, homeopathic medicine and herbal medicine. If you find someone who is trained in several fields, they can more easily customize your treatment plan based on your individual needs. You may even have an integrative health care clinic in your area, which would offer several practitioners all working under the same roof. These types of clinics often have someone up front to advise and access the case to begin with, so that a basic plan can be created specifically for the individual.

As a supplement, glucosamine sulfate is one of the all around best to think about as an option. It has been highly studied, both in Europe and more recently in this country, and shows wonderful results when used on an ongoing basis. It actually builds cartilage back in the joint, which then naturally relieves pain and inflammation. Many doctors now even recommend glucosamine for their patients. Remember to use a high quality brand, generally found at health food stores, as quality can vary with all supplements. (As I discussed in the last column.) Most people notice improvements within 1-3 months, but I have had some people report noticeable improvement in the first week or two. It depends on the individual's condition.

Another option for you is to consider some bodywork on your own, yoga perhaps, or Tai Chi. Books and video tapes are available to guide the person into the basics, but the best way to get started is to find a local class you can attend, usually very reasonably priced. Both yoga and Tai Chi help open constricted energy in the body, allowing for improved circulation and the flow of the deeper energy of the self, known as prana or Chi. Both can be relaxing and energizing, toning muscles, and opening the joints in the body. I have personally seen great relief from aches and pains with both yoga and Tai Chi, along with a greater sense of well-being.

Reiki can also be wonderful for aiding the body's own healing abilities. Many people now are trained as Reiki practitioners, or you can take the training and work on yourself that way. Reiki is meditative, peaceful, and soothing. When working with a Reiki practitioner with whom you feel comfortable, a special space for healing and peace can be created. Reiki is usually offered on a giving-basis, and is a beautiful method for gentle laying-on-of-hands work. I have also seen much benefit personally by both giving and receiving Reiki through the years.

I wish you luck in your search for pain relief. I hope I have helped to set your feet more clearly on a path for wellness. It would be great to hear from you in the future as you discover which "alternative approaches" are right for you.

--Susie

©Copyright 2001 by AlternativeApproaches.com

Susie Cooper, a community herbalist and homeopathic educator, has worked in the natural foods business since 1991 and has been teaching workshops on herbal and homeopathic medicine since 1993. In addition to presenting numerous talks, she has also appeared on radio programs pertaining to natural health. With her husband, Paul, she owns and operates Blue Mountain Herbs, a small health food store in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, where she also teaches workshops in herbal and homeopathic medicine. “Offering a proper base of education for people interested in maintaining health the natural way is of utmost importance to me,” she says. “So many options exist in the world around us, and it’s important to me to offer the best traditional educational support I can to people wanting a healthy alternative for prevention and wellness.”

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.