Long-time victims of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are all too familiar with pain and painkillers. However, a movement for meditation has led to a decreased need for painkillers among some patients.
One sufferer, after undergoing seven hip replacement surgeries, began practicing meditation to help "accept the pain and the disease" and hasn't had the need to take painkillers since.
Researchers are studying the effects meditation has on people with RA, an autoimmune disorder that causes fatigue, aches and sore and stiff muscles. It could even lead to joint damage. RA affects more than 2 million Americans -- mostly women.
In an eight-week study, about 40 RA patients were taught a method known as "mindfulness."
Sufferers, who use this 30-year-old technique, focus on breathing to calm their minds, reducing stress. Experts say patients who can deal with the stress of RA can limit the pain.
The study is not complete, but researchers are seeking more participants for another round of evaluation because of the positive feedback they have received.
MSNBC September 13, 2004
I've always believed meditation is a great tool for you to take a deliberate break from the stream of thoughts that are constantly flowing in and out of your minds. Some people use it to promote spiritual growth or find inner peace, while others use it as a relaxation and stress-reduction tool.
Simply focus on freeing your mind of all its conscious thoughts or focus on the sounds you are hearing now, your breathing, or your eyes moving over this page and you will get a taste of how beneficial meditation can be.
Natural methods to relieve symptoms of RA are far superior to pharmaceuticals or surgeries.
For the past 15 years I have treated more than 3,000 patients with RA and most of them have had remarkable improvement. The bulk of them were treated with an antibiotic protocol that was revised from Dr. Thomas Brown. I compiled a detailed explanation of that in a previous newsletter.
The protocol worked really well, but I always regretted having to resort to antibiotics to treat it, but always justified it by saying that the antibiotics were less dangerous than the drugs that were typically used to control the disease and those drugs did not even work. However in the last few years I have hardly had to resort to the antibiotics as the emotional and dietary modifications I have learned have been very effective in controlling the symptoms.
Now there are a few major treatments I recommend for RA patients:
EFT is popular tool, much like the ones described above. I've used it in my practice for some time. EFT is a psychological acupuncture treatment I recommend to optimize your emotional health. Learn the technique yourself with my free manual and discover more about the connection between your emotional well-being and your overall health.
Sound can help alleviate stress as well as clear one's mind. It can also help RA patients get better sleep.
Vitamin D levels also can play a role in avoiding or treating RA. I have many patients who are deficient in Vitamin D. The best way to increase Vitamin D levels is by getting more sun exposure. Please keep in mind that it is possible to overdose on vitamin D, so in order to ensure that you levels are within the optimal range, you should monitor your blood vitamin D levels. It is VITAL that RA patients get their blood levels measured and maintain their blood levels between 45 and 50.
As always, following a proper diet and exercising helps anyone optimize their health.