Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again [Paperback]

Harris H. McIlwain (Author), Debra Fulghum Bruce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2003

A pain-relief expert reveals a proven and unique seven-step program for alleviating arthritis pain

Although sixty-six million American adults suffer from arthritis, Pain-Free Arthritis is the first book by an established rheumatologist to present an effective program to alleviate its often incapacitating pain. Over the last twenty years, Harris H. McIlwain has treated thousands of arthritis-pain sufferers who have found lasting relief by following his program. Scientists have learned a great deal about the mechanisms and types of arthritis in the last few years, and McIlwain has distilled this information to its practical essence: the entirety of this book is geared not toward explanation but toward relief.

The program created by McIlwain shows readers how to eliminate arthritis pain through

- preventative and therapeutic exercise
- a low-fat, anti-inflammatory diet
- alternative therapies that really work
- the latest prescription drugs

Victims of any variety of arthritis will find concrete, feasible suggestions enabling them to resume a normal, active life. Now McIlwain's successful methods are made available to all arthritis sufferers for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With nearly 70 million people in the U.S. afflicted with some type of arthritis, the search for effective treatments has intensified over the past few years. Here, McIlwain, a rheumatologist and founder of the Tampa Medical Group, offers a comprehensive and clear overview of the treatments including exercise, diet, drugs and alternative therapies. According to McIlwain, the first step for most patients is to start an exercise program, whether it be walking or more strenuous activities. Many people suffering from arthritis are overweight, making it difficult for them to exercise. However, the combination of weight loss and exercise often provides immense relief. McIlwain's advice regarding diet is equally sensible-there isn't one cure-all or one food that should be avoided. He advises eating, more frequently, meals composed of more fresh vegetables and foods with low-glycemic levels such as soybeans and lentils. His suggestions to avoid certain trigger foods that may worsen certain symptoms are helpful. The author also discusses alternative treatments such as chiropractic, massage and acupuncture, and offers an excellent box on "Choosing a Practitioner and Therapy." This is a very useful book, particularly for people who have not found relief from a variety of treatments. The writing is clear and the author doesn't "oversell" one treatment over another. The weakest part of the book is the recipe section, which seems to be an afterthought.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Harris H. McIlwain, M.D., a board-certified rheumatologist, is the founder of the Tampa Medical Group and author of twenty books. Town and Country has twice named him one of the Best Doctors in America. He lives in Temple Terrace, Florida.

Debra Fulghum Bruce, M.S., has written more than 2,500 articles and fifty-eight books on various health topics. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1st edition (September 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805073256
• ISBN-13: 978-0805073256
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pain Free Arthritis by Mc Ilwain et al., November 3, 2003

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for people inflicted with some form
of arthritic condition. The author recognizes the value of
anti-inflammatory agents; hence, there is a recommendation to
pursue the natural Boswelia anti-inflammatory agent. The authors
recommend exercises and stretching along with a program of
anti-oxidant support. The anti-oxidants consist of:
o blueberry
o kale
o strawberry
o spinach
o brussels sprouts
o plums
o broccoli
o beets
o oranges
o red grapes

There is a formula for computing body mass in order to arrive
at an ideal body frame and weight. There are specific
treatments for the ankylosing spondylitis condition.
These are embrel, methotrexate, heat treatments and exercise.
The book is a solid value as part of the medicinal library
of alternative treatments and combination therapies.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WITH ARTHRITIS, February 18, 2004

By 

"mikerobot" (nAPLES) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again (Paperback)

I have osteoarthritis and I have been searching for something that can tell me WHAT REALLY WORKS to end this pain. I mean, I'm only forty years old but years of playing basketball has worn out my knees. This book is a superb program that details specifically what works for diff. types of arthritis such as knee or hip. The section on natural therapies was especially helpful and the chapter on cutting edge medications was great. I learned a lot--that I did not know and that my doctor never told me!! Oh--the part on stress and pain was enlightening. I've been doing the exercises daily and also the moist heat applications as described in the first part of the book. I have FOUND RELIEF FROM knee osteoarthritis--finally. BUY THIS BOOK AND LIVE YOUR LIFE AGAIN

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for fibromyalgia/osteoarthritis/rheumatoid, February 20, 2004

By 

"jannah33" (Concord) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again (Paperback)

If you wish you could ask your doctor questions about getting relief from arthritis pain and stiffness, you could find the answers in this book. Drs. McIlwain and Bruce offer incredibly reasonable and easy to understand suggestions for alleviating arthritis pain that is based on the latest medical journal studies. Pain-Free Arthritis gave me new insight into exercise as a method for ending pain--and it works! I've also found relief using the PAIN-FREE diet, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and phytochemicals.

This book can help you to understand the various types of arthritis but, more importantly, it motivates you to take action to overcome the pain, stiffness and immmobility and reclaim your active life.

Particularly appealing to me was the information on natural therapies and botanicals, yoga positions for alleviating pain, and the advances in medications to end pain safely and effectively.

This book is extremely reader-friendly--and the program is first in the book, so you turn the page and find relief! It does not overwhelm you with medical verbage yet is well-researched. The program is sound and I highly recommend to arthritis sufferers of all ages.