Overcoming Arthritis: How to Relieve Pain and Restore Mobility Through a Unique Tai Chi Program [Paperback]

Paul Lam (Author), Judith Horstman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Natural Health(r) Complete Guide Series | Publication Date: May 1, 2002

A unique plan that shows you how to relive arthritis pain and restore your mobility. After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis and bringing his symptoms under control through tai chi, Dr. Paul Lam created a complete program to help others lead a more active, pain-free life. Used to treat arthritis in China, tai chi helps open up joint movement and increase muscle strength. Explaining how to use a simple-to-follow 12-step program to relieve symptoms of pain and stiffness, Overcoming Arthritis is an essential reference for anyone with arthritis who is interested in enjoying a better quality of life. Clear, full-color photographs walk you through each movement. Exercises can be adapted for people in wheelchairs or for those with limited mobility.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Paul Lam began suffering from arthritis in his twenties, and was determined to learn tai chi as a way of treating it. He studied at Beijing University of Physical Education and later founded the Better Health Tai Chi Academy. He has taught worldwide and his internationally known, Tai Chi for Arthritis classes, are in high demand.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789484315
• ISBN-13: 978-0789484314
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,274,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A family physician reviews the book for a lay audience, October 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Arthritis: How to Relieve Pain and Restore Mobility Through a Unique Tai Chi Program (Paperback)

"Overcoming Arthritis" is an excellent book for the lay person. It discusses the common types of arthritis, some of the origins of arthritis, and reviews treatments for arthritis. It also describes some of the self-care that people with arthritis can use to minimize the disease process itself and to make their lives more comfortable. The most important part of the book, however, is Dr. Lam's introduction of his "Tai Chi for Arthritis" program. He describes in photos and in words the twelve steps in the form that has been shown to decrease pain and stiffness in people with arthritis and to increase strength and flexibility and a sense of well-being in this same population. The photos are excellent and precisely demonstrate each of the twelve movements. From this book, a person could begin to practice Tai Chi on their own. He also suggests other places where a person might get more information about dealing with arthritis in a pro-active, positive way.
In a world of "how-to" books, I would highly recommend this to all people with arthritis--and to those who have a loved one with arthritis.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars overcoming arthritis?!, June 17, 2002

By 

"jclg05772" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overcoming Arthritis: How to Relieve Pain and Restore Mobility Through a Unique Tai Chi Program (Paperback)

Overcoming Arthritis is a clear and detailed account of the accepted and non traditional ways of living with a chronic condition.

The book gives a brief discussion of the different strands of the arthritis family, and explains the more common ones in detail. There is not too much medical information; and yet the authors do not talk down to the readers.

As well as complementary therapies and medicine for arthritis, there is a section on herbal remediea and another on diet. The best arthritis diet, it says, is the one that suits your lifestyle and medications the best - so simple!The section on Tai Chi is incredibly detailed. Both pictures and words are used to good effect when describing @Tai Chi for Arthritis@. In fact, as a teacher of this programme, I use this bit with my classes.

The book also shows the variety of ways arthritis can affect your life - it can be anything from a minor nuisance to a life threatening illness.

For people with arthritis, the book is not too heavy or unwieldy to manage. Good clear print, with plenty of relevant illustrations a lso make this a good choice.

If you are only going to buy one book on arthritis, make this the one. I had to review it for an arthritis magazine, and was so impressed, I went out and bought my own!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have arthritis, it's a must, May 22, 2002

By 

Nancy Kieffer (Walnut Creek, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Overcoming Arthritis: How to Relieve Pain and Restore Mobility Through a Unique Tai Chi Program (Paperback)

"Overcoming Arthritis" is unique since it serves as both a read-through and a reference book. It's excellent on both scores. It can't be beat as a self-help manual because not only does it lay out the facts of the disease for arthritis sufferers, it also evaluates the conventional and complementary methods of treatment. Moreover-and this section is outstanding-the authors present with easy-to-follow instructions a do-it-yourself tai chi program, designed especially for people suffering from arthritis. This beautifully illustrated book would even be welcomed as a gift.