| Arthritis is a common painful disease affecting the | | | | Skin Care is Important: Regular brushing and stimulation |
| joints and bones of the body. Early signs can include | | | | of the skin over the entire body is a pleasant enough |
| twinges or stiffness of the knees and other joints, | | | | addition to your personal toilet. The brushing causes |
| limitation in movement or visible thickening of the joints, | | | | the surface skin cells to flake off, leaving the skin freer |
| often in the hands and feet; creaking joints, spinal pain | | | | to function properly regarding natural perspiration and |
| and backache, or painful swelling of the joints. | | | | circulation of the blood to surface cells. Improving the |
| There are several types of arthritis - osteoarthritis, | | | | skin, even on one part of the body, will in time help to |
| rheumatoid arthritis and gout. | | | | improve entire skin function. |
| Osteoarthritis is the most common resulting from | | | | This discipline is necessary if you are to relieve the |
| wearing of the joints - mainly hips, spine, knees, feet | | | | work of the kidneys that have the main job of |
| and fingers. A far greater number of women suffer | | | | eliminating toxic wastes and acids from the body. Most |
| from this than do men. | | | | people are aware of the need to help the kidneys by |
| Rheumatoid arthritis can destroy other tissue besides | | | | drinking lots of water. Not everyone is as enthusiastic |
| the bone, affecting cartilage and tissues within and | | | | or is aware of the simple benefits of skin brushing. |
| around the joints to damage the bone surface itself, | | | | Exercise: to exercise to perspiration point each day is |
| usually of feet, ankles, knees, fingers, wrists, elbows | | | | a generally accepted health practice. Depending upon |
| and shoulders. | | | | any symptoms and their severity, your age and your |
| Gout is principally caused by uric acid crystals settling in | | | | doctor's advice, this rule must be modified, not be |
| the joints to produce painful irritation and inflammation. It | | | | neglected altogether. You should follow an exercise |
| can produce extremely severe discomfort, often | | | | programme that gradually increases if not to |
| focused in the big toe. This is principally a disease | | | | perspiration level, a freer movement of the entire body |
| suffered by men more than women. | | | | through gentle, simple elementary movements, |
| In the prevention of all kinds of arthritis there are | | | | preferably aided by soothing rhythmic music. Yoga |
| certain general rules of health to consider as well as | | | | exercises and Tai Chi are perfect methods for those |
| some natural self-help methods of treatment. | | | | unfamiliar with more vigorous exercises as they are |
| Remember: It is largely your eating habits that have | | | | gentle, slow and safe. |
| created an imbalance in your body chemistry. It is only | | | | Stress: Although some types of arthritis involve |
| by seriously reconsidering your diet and improving your | | | | physical stress, by far the greatest found by |
| intake of natural foods and avoiding the synthetic or | | | | researchers is the psychological stress factor. Of |
| artificial products that you can return your body to | | | | course this is a complex issue but it is interesting to |
| normal healthy condition. It may take self-discipline - but | | | | note common findings that anxiety, fears of all kinds, |
| self-discipline today is better than a painful tomorrow. It | | | | usually resentment, loneliness and general unhappiness |
| is best to start with improving the quality of your diet. | | | | are involved. This means that the more you work on |
| Nutrition: avoid foods producing high acidity such as | | | | relaxation of body, feelings and thoughts the better |
| starchy food, white bread, white sugar and processed | | | | your will feel. Each of us has the means to change |
| foods including soft drinks, sweet sherry, ice-cream, | | | | negative habits of all kinds by practising positive |
| chocolate, etc. You should take only a moderate intake | | | | alternatives - not only learning physical relaxation and |
| of milk, cheese and for a time try to avoid all fried | | | | possibly treatment by massage to help you, but |
| foods, meats, fish and salt. | | | | starting each day with a self-promise to not only enjoy |
| Diet should consist mainly of fresh fruits and green | | | | your work, but to seek an island of calm in each day; |
| salads with a variety of ingredients, light dressings, raw | | | | to expect less from others and give more of your |
| nuts, herbs, sprouted seeds, seaweed, plenty of celery | | | | friendliness and good cheer. It is helpful to select a few |
| and plain steamed vegetables of all kinds. | | | | words that appeal to you, to use in silent repetition to |
| Food supplements: should include some of the | | | | remind you to keep your mind focused upon positive |
| following - alfalfa (lucerne) concentrates, raw potato | | | | moods, thoughts and outcomes. |
| juice, carrot juice, vitamins B, B complex, C , brewers | | | | Be patient. Consider some of the above information |
| yeast, celery seed tea or celery and juniper tablets. | | | | and determine what you can do to improve your |
| Herbs: There are some beneficial herbs that are | | | | lifestyle and to avoid arthritis. |
| generally stocked along with other kitchen ingredients | | | | If you already are suffering from this disease, seek |
| such as celery seed and alfalfa tea, but there are | | | | additional professional naturopathic advice regarding |
| others in the garden that should be included regularly in | | | | further methods of self - care and relief through simple |
| your preparation of meals. These are parsley, | | | | home treatment. |
| dandelion leaves, gotu kola, mint, sage and garlic. | | | | |