Quick Question: Arthritis Advice Please!

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Posted by: Clara


Hi all -

on Wednesday afternoon, at the ripe old age of only just recently 34, I got diagnosed with osteo-arthritis of the spine!

Lawks!

I'm sure it doesn't need saying that I'm a bit gutted, although it IS a relief of some description to know what's been causing me so much pain in so many places for the last two and a half years...

SO ... Before I go much further, I'm hoping for some holistic / alternative healing advice from any experts out there.

Herbal, nutritional, energetic, aroma, psychological and ayurvedic suggestions very welcome, albeit that I know there is no substitute for a personal consultation, which I will have when I decide what specific path holds the most promise.

I have already anyway downshifted my work, and work from home, at a good table. I do yoga and pilates in moderation, I walk a lot, I'm cutting out caffeine, sugar, most wheat and most dairy. I don't drink or smoke. I meditate regularly, I have therapy once a week, and after reading one of Mrs S's articles, will be bumping up my intake of anti-inflammatories like pumpkin seeds.

I take magnesium and devil's claw for the pain, cod liver oil to oil the old cogs, and Ginseng to help with the associated lack of energy.

Anything that I'm missing?

Amputation from the nose down?!

Listed In: health , healing , arthritis

Created on: 01/05/2009

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Comments about this listing

Dear Chum - so sorry to read your note, but as you say, at least now you 'know' what the problem is and can go about reducing the impact of the symptoms.

I only know stuff about rheumatiod, my best friends 13 year old daughter has it in every joint and is currently undergoing her 3rd set of strong medication to slow down the accelleration.

I know she has found a lot of answers from this website www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Home so do have a sniff around on there.

Sorry I can't be much more help old bean - hang in there missus, there's a lot that can be done, I know that for sure.

With lots of love,
Trace xxxx


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Posted By: Tracey Smith
Date Posted: 01/05/2009 13:32
Thanks so much TS ... Just connecting with people and receiving encouragement is so helpful... I'll be having a look at that website after work today :)

Hugs,

Clara
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 05/05/2009 10:06
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Aw Clara - I feel for you. I know how hard it is suffering without knowing what the cause is. At least, as you say, you have a diagnosis now - sometimes just that knowledge can help relieve the pain, even if only temporarily.

I developed rheumatoid arthritis in my mid 20s, diagnosed a few years later. It's not quite the same condition, I know, but I've found that high-strength cod liver oil taken religiously helps reduce the occurrence of painful bouts.

Sounds to me, like you're already doing quite a lot to manage your condition without resorting to pharmaceuticals. I can only add that an organic diet may reduce unwanted chemicals and perhaps EFT to help manage the pain? http://www.emofree.com/

Other than that, I wish you all the very best, Rache x


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Posted By: Racheblue
Date Posted: 01/05/2009 20:32
Thanks Rb :) I had forgotten about EFT ... Mental bookmark now in place again!
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 05/05/2009 10:07
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I would definitely recommend a visit to a kinesiologist to diagnose for food intolerances.

I have three clients with 'arthritis' which was crippling them when I first saw them.
Now we know what their pesky intolerances are, they are virtually pain free if they keep away from those foods.

Yes, it's a lifestyle change, and it takes a bit of extra work in the kitchen but 2 out of 3 of them reckon it's worth it...

Also, now you know what it is that is causing the pain, you could do some mind intervention for pain management with something like NLP or Thought Pattern Management - the latter is amazing :)

Are you anywhere near me? Perhaps you should come and visit ;)


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Posted By: Rachelle Strauss
Date Posted: 04/05/2009 19:52
RS - I'm in South East London, but am a VWtT type (Very Willing to Travel!). I love visiting people... Are you in Gloucestershire? And where can I find out more about Thought Pattern Management?

Do you write about Kinesiology on here much?
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 05/05/2009 10:09
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Hi Clara, Gloucestershire it is. Not sure about reading more about Thought Pattern Management; I'll ask DH as this is his domain.

I've written nothing about kinesiology on here...but you can email me and I'll call you with any questions if you like :)

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Posted By: Rachelle Strauss
Date Posted: 06/05/2009 05:45
My friend swears by Green Lipped Mussels, you can get them in tablet form (which is a releif in itself!) from health food shops, they have a picture of joints on the front, if you cant find them there, try boots, or a chemist, as alot of them stock these things now it seems. I really hope it helps!

Cheryl Turtlemoon


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Posted By: Cheryl Turtlemoon
Date Posted: 23/05/2009 16:32
Thanks Cheryl ... I've just started an Apple Cider Vinegar experiment ... If that doesn't help, I'll try the Mussels (eek!).
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 26/05/2009 09:04
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I think they come in pill form Clara :-)

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Posted By: Cheryl Turtlemoon
Date Posted: 26/05/2009 10:16
Hey Clara - how are you getting on? Apple Cider Vinegar sounds good - hope it helps!

Re-reading this thread,it struck me as amazing just how many different holistic and non-pharma options there are for various health issues. And I wonder why we so often resort to pharmaceutical methods whose workings we often don't understand instead of more natural, wholesome methods of pain relief and wellbeing that are far easier to explain. We seem to have utterly confused ourselves about what health really is. Hmmm, methinks an article may be on its way...

In the meantime, despite my recommendation of Cod Liver Oil at the beginning of the month, I have actually stopped taking it for a couple reasons: I'm not convinced that the ingredients are sourced sustainably and I think it may have been exacerbating my TGN (facial nerve pain) - ho hum!

So far, I've not suffered too badly from arthritis and have relied instead on a simple opening up of the affected joint(s) when pain appears and avoiding keeping said joints straight. This seems to work incredibly well particularly if I can fall asleep with open joint - the pain is often gone or very much reduced by morning.

Hope this helps - wishing you well x


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Posted By: Racheblue
Date Posted: 26/05/2009 11:09
Thanks so much for your most recent comment, RB ... Can you explain a bit more about keeping an affected joint open? How would I do this with hips and upper spine, for instance?
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 01/06/2009 09:59
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I used to have two recipes for making Cherry Wine and Rhubarb (I think) wine that are supposed to be VERY good for arthritus! As long as you don't drink so much you fall down and cause more damage! :p


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Posted By: Maddy
Date Posted: 10/06/2009 13:25
Hahahah! Too funny :) If I drank, I'd be trying it!
Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 10/06/2009 15:12
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Hi Clara - apologies for delayed response.

By keeping the joint open, I mean trying to locate the specific joint that is causing pain, let's say it's the mid-thumb joint and rather than letting the thumb stay flat as it does naturally, I will push the top of the thumb down and inwards (towards the palm) thus moving the top bone away from the bottom bone on one side of the joint. I will hold the thumb here applying downwards pressure for a few minutes, then relax it and do the same thing on the other side of the joint by pushing the top of the thumb down and outwards. Of course the bone is not designed to fold outwards but applying pressure in this direction as well seems to help.

I imagine with a hip joint, lying flat on back with the knee of the same side bent at 45 degree angle, pointing out to the side might help. Applying gentle increasing downwards pressure to the knee should open up the hip joint. Raising the knee (still bent) over the body to the opposite side would open the hip joint in the other direction.

For the spine, perhaps gently bending forwards from the hips with feet shoulder width apart will help. I've not experienced arthritis in the spine so not sure about this but if you can reach the floor, crawling the hands over to one side and then the other could provide useful movement of the joint. For larger joints the movements are very yogaesque (!)

I hope this all makes sense and helps a little.

[Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that this method of pain relief is simply something I've discovered for myself. I have not read about it in any medical or other source. It may not be suitable for everyone and I can't be sure that it is a good thing to do long term. Having said that, it seems to help me so I will keep at it!]

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Posted By: Racheblue
Date Posted: 02/07/2009 18:13
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Posted By: Racheblue
Date Posted: 02/07/2009 18:13
Thanks Rachelb ... That all makes sense. I have been doing all those things you describe quite spontaneously, and I think they would help regardless of the diagnosis, which has now been challenged. Just waiting for an MRI scan to confirm that some of my vertebrae are out of place before pursuing more treatment... Thanks again.

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Posted By: Clara
Date Posted: 03/07/2009 12:36
Hi Clara. Sorry you have been diagnosed with this very inconvenient disease. I was diagnosed at 23, although my mum was told when I was 5 that I would get it. (Clever Doctor) I have always done and eaten everything within moderation. I try to stay away from sweet things (very difficult when you have a sweet tooth) and I don’t drink alcohol. I also drink lots of herbal tea. I have never been overweight (more good luck than good management). The best thing I have found is a magnetic bracelet. I bought it 2 years ago and have never taken it off. It has made so much difference to the pain in my ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and spine. I am now 59 and have less pain now than I had 30 years ago. I got mine from ecoflow but there are lots of different ones out there. If you do get one make sure it’s a good quality one. Wishing you all the best for the future.

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Posted By: Mary
Date Posted: 09/02/2010 13:58

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