The Arthritis Handbook: The Essential Guide to a Pain-Free, Drug-Free Life

This book is a solid, well-written volume that addresses alternative methods of treating arthritis beyond the normal routine of prescription medications. While it is mainly focused on osteoarthritis some of the information in it may well be of value to those with other types of arthritis, or even other rheumatologic and inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia. Surprisingly for most alternative treatment and "natural medicine" books this one does NOT claim that conventional medical treatment using prescriptions and surgery is completely unnecessary or strictly detrimental, in fact near the end of the book the author explains that at times surgery and drugs may be the best (or even in some cases the ONLY) viable treatment for providing patients with an acceptable quality of life, however he does emphasize the need to be cautious when making those decisions, and to only do so when you are truly informed about the treatments and their expected outcomes - as well as not to forget the basics of nutrition, body mechanics, etc even while pursuing a more traditional medical course. All in all this is a very useful book, that contains a great wealth of information on how to deal with what can be an exceedingly painful and frustrating condition. ( )

I received this book for review when I was in the midst of a terrible fibro flare. At the time this book was far from my mindset. Perhaps I'm being blinded by my own pain and the pharmaceutical medicine practice, but the book's recommendations were not for me - at that time. I won't judge a ARC by it's cover - I will reread. ( )

There's a surprising amount of information in this small book. It gives a quick overview of information about arthritis, and a lot of different solutions to try. I'd recommend it to anyone who has arthritis and wants to try solutions other than drugs.

In The Arthritis Handbook Dr. Cooper presents a take charge approach for individuals suffering with osteoarthritis. His plan focuses on managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis using nutrition, exercise, and dietary supplements, while recommending surgery and medication only when other approaches have failed. I am most impressed that Dr. Cooper recommends complimentary approaches to managing arthritis such as the practice of Tai Chi, which is also endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation.

The book is not a typical arthritis help book – it is peppered with personal and cultural references that are as informative as they are amusing. The book also includes a glossary to help readers understand medical terminology and a list of websites for readers to learn more about osteoarthritis. Overall, the best aspect of the book is that it encourages patients to communicate with healthcare professionals, and notes key times when patients should seek professional advice.

Despite the fact that the information in the book is sound, the book is somewhat disorganized and at times seems to be addressing two separate audiences. Also, I would have liked to have seen a detailed reference list of the studies described in the book. Ultimately these stylistic shortfalls do not detract from the promising message of the book – osteoarthritis can be managed by lifestyle changes that are described in the book. ( )

This book arrived just before I injured my leg and discovery that I had the early signs of arthritis. That is not surprising since there is a family history of mild arthritis and the combination of weight, diet, and (insufficient) exercise as contiributing factors.

The book is divided into four sections, plus a brief glossary of medical terms and an excellent index. The book is presented in a manner to make it a quick read but still conveys a great deal of information that is not overly technical for the average person to understand.

Part I contains the most medical terminology while describing the mechanical aspects of the body joints. The brief chapter on the diagnosis discusses various presenting symptoms and the importance of their review to complement the physical exam and x-ray review by a physician.

Part 2 provides not only a refresher on good nutrition but a realistic approach for those who need to make substantial changes in their daily eating habits. It does not contain a prescriptive diet, but rather suggestions of how one can gradually change eating habits to fit within daily life as one begins to evolve into a healthier approach to eating.

Part 3 is the largest section comprised of individual chapters on stretching, strengthening, and aerobic exercises. Sadly, most gyms focus on strenthening exercises and do not demonstrate or explain the importance of stretching exercises. My recent leg injury and subsequent physical therapy experience taught me more about stretching exercises than I had ever heard before. It is good to see this section in the book with the explanation of which body part each stretching exercise is focused. The explanation and photos also helped to reinforced what I learned in physical therapy.

Part 3 discusses both natural (dietary) and over-the-counter supplements. Part 4 closes the book with a discussion of the medical treatment options. It also includes a good list of questions to ask when exploring any surgical options.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever experienced any muscle/joint pain and especially anyone over age 30. It helps to reinforce what you learned (or should have learned) at home or at school while growing up about general health and exercise. But more importantly it emphasizes the importance of proper stretching and strengthening exercises. I know I will use some of what I learned in any future exercise class or evaluating a gym. ( )