Rheumatology 2004; 43: 940
Rheumatology Vol. 43 No. 7 © British Society for Rheumatology 2004; all rights reserved
Book Review |
PAIN FREE ARTHRITIS. By Harris H. McIlwain and Debra Fulghum Bruce. $15.00. Henry Holt and Company, New York. 304 pages. ISBN: 0-8050-7325-6
Pain Free Arthritis by Harris H. McIlwain and Debra Fulghum Bruce is a self-help programme for arthritis patients from authors who have written several other texts covering such conditions as back pain, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. This book provides patients with a seven-step programme designed to reduce the symptoms they experience from their arthritis.
The authors adopt a no-nonsense, common-sense, holistic approach in advising arthritis patients how to alter aspects of their lives to reduce their symptoms and improve their general well-being.
This seven-step programme covers exercise, nutrition and diet, alternative therapies, key lifestyle changes, massage and acupuncture, measures to reduce stress and meditation and relaxation methods and finally a comprehensive overview of medical treatments including the latest biological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.
The book is written in a very clear and concise manner and clearly explains the theories behind the recommendations of its seven-point programme. The authors tailor their recommendations so they are suitable for different types of patient ranging from patients with osteoarthritis to those with an inflammatory arthropathy to fibromyalgia.
The book begins with a very straightforward, practical and useful guide to exercises and stretches, and follows this with a section emphasizing the importance of maintaining a suitable body weight and a guide on how to sensibly lose weight. This chapter also covers nutritional supplements that may aid arthritis sufferers. The alternative therapy section covers herbal remedies used to reduce pain and inflammation, homeopathy and magnet therapy. The chapter on lifestyle changes covers such areas as fall prevention, footwear, posture and pacing techniques.
The authors provide the reader with a very thorough and clear explanation of the drug treatments used to treat arthritis including their mechanism of action and potential side-effects in an easily accessible format. The range of medications covered is comprehensive ranging from NSAIDs through to COX II inhibitors and the anti-TNF treatments. The book includes two very useful appendices on an explanation of the different forms of arthritis and commonly employed investigations in the arthritis patient.
Pain Free Arthritis provides a very useful, no-nonsense guide for patients to institute changes in their everyday lives that should help them reduce the symptoms from their arthritis. The information covered in this book would be of great use to many patients ranging from those with osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia through to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
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