Healing Joint Pain Naturally: Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Other Joint Diseases
Here are two new titles offering natural or holistic approaches  to the treatment of arthritis. Alternative health writer Brown  (Nature's Pharmacy) uses her research and her own bout with  arthritis and fibromyalgia to argue that arthritis can be  reversed. Her theory is that joint disease is caused by poor  nutrition, the build-up of toxins in joints, stress, and energy  blockage. Brown describes how she rejected conventional  medicine's treatment anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone,  and surgery and instead, after some research, began a  trial-and-error, self-treating "eclectic protocol" that included  fasting, detoxification with niacin, supplements, clay packs,  diet, yoga, and relaxation. She provides detailed chapters on  these and other therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and  copper bracelets for gout, arthritis, and the soft-tissue  rheumatic diseases. Brown also lists over 23 pages of references  to papers and books on both conventional and alternative  medicine. Much of the information Brown offers is not new, and  some of it is incorrect or flawed by her interpretation. For  instance, she describes fibromyalgia as an autoimmune disease,  but the American College of Rheumatology does not classify it as  autoimmune or inflammatory in nature. Furthermore, by her own  admission, she developed a plan by trial and error that worked  for reasons she cannot pinpoint. Not an essential purchase. Ivker, a clinical professor at the University of Colorado School  of Medicine, past president of the American Holistic Medical  Association, and alternative health author (Self-Care Guide to  Holistic Medicine) joined with naturopath Nelson to develop a  holistic self-care program, the "Arthritis Survival Program,"  that offers "therapeutic options for treating, preventing, and  possibly curing osteoarthritis." In a clear and readable style,  the first chapter, "The Quick Fix," outlines the essentials of  the program and describes herbs and vitamins that can relieve  arthritis pain immediately. With Chapter 4, the book goes into  the details of the program, addressing the multiple causes of  arthritis (unhealthy diet and nutrition, poor sleep, stress,  inactivity, environmental causes, negative beliefs and  attitudes, etc.). True to their holistic approach, the authors  offer chapters dedicated to "Healing Your Body," "Healing Your  Mind," and "Healing Your Spirit." These chapters and the  worksheets for symptoms, advice on supplements, a Wellness  Self-Test, menus, and recipes reinforce the concise information  found in Chapter 1. The authors are not reluctant to suggest  that there are times when conventional or alternative  professional practitioners need to be consulted for care and  assistance in safely and effectively using some therapies. These  two books handle the healing process similarly, but Ivker and  Nelson's training and credentials make them more qualified to  interpret and apply available evidence. Recommended for consumer  health collections. Lisa McCormick, Health Sciences Lib., Jewish  Hosp., CincinnatiCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.