Posts from — August 2008

It is with great pride and excitement I introduce you to The Sandpoint Wellness Council. We are an association of independent complementary wellness practitioners located in Sandpoint dedicated to holistic health care, who together see the value of our synergistic practices, and who have chosen to work diligently together to bring to you relevant and scientifically researched information on health care options. We believe that there is no “one” solution for everyone; rather each person individually has unique needs and concerns, and undertaken in such a perspective, effective remediation of causes of distress and dis-ease can be accomplished.

This year our collective aim is to bring you information about our individual practices and their objectives so that you may make informed decisions about what you want in your personal health care regimen. Complementary health care is about synergy, about working with all ideas for health improvement, prevention, and maintenance of well being. The Sandpoint Wellness Council aims to inform, generate relevant questions, answer those questions, and assist others in finding and understanding current research. Many of our practitioners offer protocols that can effectively provide relief of many common complaints.

Each month we will be presenting a topic and will provide information from several of the participating Sandpoint Wellness Council members. We invite our readers to contact us with questions you would like us to address, and we will provide that information in upcoming issues of The River Journal. Contact information is provided at the end of this article.

Our first topic focuses on Migraine Headaches. According to Ruth Werner in A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, page 266, 28 million people experience migraines. This leads to not only lost wages but to high medical expenses each year. Women tend to suffer more than men, and causes are varied, from genetic factors, personal lifestyle choices, as well as to environmental influences.

Physiologically, migraines can occur from a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain called vasoconstriction. This increases blood pressure within the vessels. This is then followed by an expansion of the blood vessels called vasodilation. With this expansion comes the intense pain of a migraine headache.

Trying to uncover the causes of migraines remains a prominent topic among many professionals. As we accept the bio-individuality of ourselves, we also recognize that a prescription of “one size fits all” does not always effectively deal with the possible triggers that cause migraines. Ruth Werner suggests many possible triggers, such as magnesium deficiency (which allows for muscle relaxation), “consumption of certain kinds of foods, including red wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, tea [all our favorite things!], MSG, and alcohol” (266-67). As well, Werner relates that stress and hormonal shifts may also be contributing factors.

As Complementary Health practitioners, we see people with a variety of symptoms, and each of us has learned to address these symptoms within our scopes of practice. Following are the educated and professional protocols The Sandpoint Wellness Council members utilize to bring comfort and relief for the expressions of migraine headaches for our valued clients. Your review of these multifaceted options may provide you insight for what may work for your specific needs.

From Ilani Kopiecki, CMT, Integrated Body Work and CranioSacral Therapy, 208-610-2005:

In CranioSacral Therapy we use several different release techniques to help with migraine headaches. We release the vertebrae in the neck and upper thoracic area to make sure blood flow to the head is running smoothly. We adjust the sacrum and lower back to ensure release throughout the spine. We also release the occiput, temporal, frontal, and parietal bones in the head so that the dural tissue throughout the cranium is open and pliable. Sometimes the jaw and the TMJ areas must be released as well to alleviate pressure in the neck and head. It is also important to counsel the client on diet, lifestyle, and water intake.

From Kristine Battey MSPT, ATC, CSCS, HLC, Divine Health & Fitness, www.divinehf.com, 208-946-7072

Exercise can be an excellent tool for fighting off a migraine and may also help the person to relax when they have a migraine. Light cardiovascular exercise followed by stretching and deep, relaxing breathing can relax the body and the muscles in the neck and shoulders that lead to tension related migraine headaches. The use of a foam roller or therapeutic ball for stretching can help the spinal muscles to relax. During acute migraine, I instruct clients to lie down in a quiet room, close their eyes and do gentle stretches along with relaxing, deep breathing techniques. This may relieve the migraine or at least help it to be more tolerable.

Another important part of preventing migraines is related to the person’s diet. It is important for a migraine sufferer to clear their diet of toxins and eat high quality, nutrient dense food. I assess my clients physiological load which is the sum total of all stressors acting on their body: what they eat, when they eat, stress, sleep, their digestive system, and their detoxification system. I also assess what metabolic type they are and guide them to make quality food choices according to what types of food their particular nutritional type would benefit from most. Eating an organic, whole food diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and quality sources of grass-fed, organic meat are important for optimal health and may help to decrease the incidence or severity of migraines.

From Krystle Shapiro, LMT, Touchstone Massage Therapies, 208-290-6760

Oftentimes with severe headaches, the last thing someone wants is to be touched! Depending on the severity of the headache, and/or the type of headache, i.e. cluster, migraine, sinus, tension, or chemical headaches, massage can provide a reduction of stress that may be a contributing factor. Manual lymph drainage, a specialized massage for moving lymph fluids, may be especially helpful in releasing head congestion contributing to migraine symptoms.

From Robin Mize CBS. Quantum Biofeedback, 208-263-8846
There are a number of alternative or complementary treatment options available for migraine relief. One of these options for migraines is biofeedback. Biofeedback is a technique that involves reducing the effects of pain and stress on your body by learning how your body reacts to pain and stress. Biofeedback does this through monitoring instruments that can detect and display internal bodily function. This is where the EPFX system comes in. This system picks up on those individual stressors and retrains through the subconscious mind. The practitioner is able to share with the client what those stressors may be, and then the client can use that information for lifestyle changes. This can give people better control over body function indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, muscle tension, and brain waves. Biofeedback is a type of complementary and alternative medicine known as mind-body therapy. Biofeedback for migraines may be coupled with relaxation therapy. Relaxation therapy teaches a variety of relaxation strategies for reducing tension and stress throughout the body. I have been able to assist many of my clients that suffer with migraine headaches.
From Owen Marcus, MA, CA, Rolfer, 265-8440, www.align.org

As a Rolfer over that past 28 years, I have had many referrals for migraines. Every one of these clients had an usually tense upper back, neck and head. Neurologist, who were clients of mine and who sent me some of these clients, also saw a consistent pattern of tension with migraine patients. Chronic soft tissue tension is often a reflection of not just a higher stress level, but can come from never being taught how to really relax. Once the body begins to relax, the mind learns to relax. Together the client has greater resiliency to stress, thereby less vulnerable to headaches. Once the soft tissue tension begins to release from the upper body, enviably the migraines would reduce or completely disappear.

From Penny Waters, Reflexologist, Master Herbalist, 597-4343

When a client comes to me seeking relief from migraine headaches I immediately anticipate that I will find imbalance in the liver and/or pituitary gland/brain/spine and nerve reflexes. This is because migraines are associated with digestive difficulties, especially congestion in the liver, tension from stress, which always affects the function of the pituitary gland (and, in turn, all glands), nervous system and constricting and expanding blood vessels in the brain.
We begin with a thorough written and verbal consultation about lifestyle, stresses, foods eaten, exercise habits, and so on. I offer hope and an outline of the approach we will take together to facilitate wellness.
Despite my initial suspicions, I always let the feet tell me what is out of balance in the body. My client is invited to ‘put their feet up’ and then I go to work giving a full reflexology session on the feet, making notes as to areas of tension, congestion and inflammation. Reflexology is revealing as it tells me which organs or glands are out of balance and needing healing that promote proper function of the body. Reflexology helps the migraine headaches decrease in frequency and intensity and also is profoundly relaxing to the body, mind and spirit relieving stress and the resulting impact on wellness. When the reflexology is complete, I discuss with my client the organs, glands and body parts that are out of balance and the impact of reflexology on promoting wellness. I generally recommend reflexology treatments once a week for 4-6 weeks for a transformation in the condition. Individual programs, however, will be made according to the needs of the client. I also recommend herbs that will help bring about and speed up wellness in the affected areas and relieve the migraine headaches. Generally one herbal formula in a tea or tincture is all that I recommend at any one time. At this point I will discuss foods that are commonly associated with triggering migraines and make suggestions for food changes that will help prevent migraines. The goal is to assess the whole person and the life of this person to establish patterns that are leading to this painful condition and to choose a new path leading to well-being and joyful living.

Contact information for your questions for future articles:
Krystle Shapiro, Touchstone Massage Therapies: 208-290-6760, or email at krystle.touchstone@gmail.com.

The Sandpoint Wellness Council Members:
Krystle Shapiro, Touchstone Massage Therapies, 208/290-6760
Owen Marcus, Rolfing, 208/265-8440
Tess Hahn, Acupuncture, 208/683-5211
Kristine Battey, Divine Health Physical Therapy, 208/946-7072
Ilani Kopiecki, Integrated Body Work & CranioSacral 208/610-2005
Mary Boyd, Mountain View Physical Therapy 208/290-5575
Robin Mize, Quantum Biofeedback Systems 208/610-9997
Julie Hutslar, Core Belief Restructuring 208/263-1448
Mario Roxas, Naturopath 208/946-0984
Toni Tessier, Dancing Hands Massage, Bach Flowers 208/610-8681
Penny Waters, Relaxation Destination, Herbology, Reflexology 208/597-4343

Why do we need it? Why do we want it? Because everything is better when you’re relaxed. Stress is considered a major contributing factor in 95% of all illnesses and health complaints. Stress affects every cell, organ, gland, muscle and body part, as well as your emotions, mind and spirit so your life is improved profoundly by relaxation. Productivity, creativity, joy, sex, thinking, sleeping, digestion, hormone production, immune system, circulation, love, communication and even spiritual peace are all touched and transformed by relaxation.

How do we relax?

A good cry and laughing jiggle us up loosening the tension, shaking up the stagnation, which changes our vibrations- speeds them up or slows them down as needed. That’s why dancing, singing, a brisk walk, a run, sports, yoga, also help us feel better and more relaxed. These activities change our vibration rate. Your body is always seeking balance and the state of homeostasis. It knows what the correct vibration rate is. The body will pick up what it needs and let go what it does not in order to correct the vibration rate.

Unfortunately, we often feel we do not have the time, energy or fitness for many of the healthier answers to changing vibration rates and finding relaxation. We turn to alcohol, food, lounging, vacuous TV watching and so on to restore our balance. We all know true wellness is not found like this but it is easy and enjoyable on many sensual levels.

“Just put your feet up”

As a Reflexologist I tell my stressed out or burnt out clients “Put your feet up and get happy, get healthy and get relaxed”. It’s a simple and blissful way to find profound, healing relaxation. It combines the much needed change in vibration rate with an activity that is easy, enjoyable and healthy!

Reflexology has mapped the entire body on the feet. The left foot is the left side of the body, the right foot the right side. The head, chest, abdomen, intestines, pelvis and every organ, gland and body part in those areas all have a reflex in the feet.

The Reflexologist, by applying pressure on these reflexes (using thumb or forefinger), promotes a balancing response in the body. Like a domino effect, energy is stimulated to flow through pathways to all body parts. The necessary energy is taken or given up to restore the correct vibration rate. This induces deep relaxation throughout the body, mind and spirit- automatically and effortlessly- which is always beneficial to any health complaint.

Penny Waters, Reflexologist, Herbalist, can be reached at: 208 597 4343 or penny@cureforthecommonspa.com

Kitchen Skin is the art of creating beneficial products for your skin right in your own kitchen using, for the most part, everyday ingredients in your kitchen. You may need to purchase a couple of specialty items such as glycerin, beeswax or a special herb but they should be readily available at your local health food store/herbal supplier/pharmacy. In a previous article I provided home recipes for cleansers, toners and masks for various skin needs. In this article are recipes for a family moisturizer and herbal baths for pleasurable and therapeutic body skin care.

This is a moisturizer that all the family can use:

Light Rose Moisture Cream

(for all skin types)

1 tsp beeswax

1 tsp lanolin

1 tbsp almond oil

½ tsp wheat germ oil

1/8 tsp borax

3 tbsp rosewater, warmed

6 drops essential oil of rose or rose geranium

Melt the beeswax and lanolin together, stirring constantly.

Warm the oils gently and gradually beat them into the waxes. Dissolve the borax in the rosewater and slowly add to the oil and wax mixture, beating constantly until cool.

Stir in the rose oil as the mixture begins to thicken. Spoon into sterile jar and label.

For use on the face.

Herbs in the Bath

A cleansing, soothing bath can be achieved by the addition of dried herbs, herbs as essential oils or teas.

Although it’s a romantic idea to sprinkle scented leaves and flowers directly onto the water, it’s not advisable. You will emerge from such a bath like a creature from a swamp, with plant bits clinging to every part of your body! Instead, place herbs in a tea infuser and put into your bath as it is filling up or hang tea bags over the faucet as the water is running. Or, make a tea in advance and then pour the tea into your bath water. Several drops (5-10) of an essential oil allows you to lie in an envelope of fragrance and feel their beneficial power.

For true relaxation, which is balance, you may choose a calming or a stimulating bath:

For a calming bath the following herbs are good. Use teabag, in a tea diffuser or essential oil:

Chamomile

Lavender

If you infuse (let sit) 2 oz of dried or 4 oz of fresh herb in milk (not skim) for 2 hours, strain and add to bath you will soften and freshen your skin at the same time.

A stimulating bath can be very balancing for exhaustion, worry, and a sluggish system. Try the following:

Mint

Lemon Balm

Sage

Thyme (antiseptic properties)

Basil (helps clear the head of congestion and confusion)

Rosemary (helps improve memory)

To soothe itchiness, aching muscles try the following:

Bring 2 ½ cups of apple cider vinegar and a handful of fresh bath herbs to the boil, then infuse overnight. Strain and bottle. Add a cupful of this mixture to your bath for its beneficial effects.

Penny Waters

Master Herbalist

can be reached at: 208 597 4343 or sunpen54@yahoo.com

There are many items in your kitchen- in the fridge or sitting on shelves or in cupboards- that are capable of helping your family feel better and heal faster from common complaints such as colds and flu. In ‘olden times’ they were commonly used by moms and ‘plain folk’ to help with everyday complaints and disorders. You, too, can create your own herbal pharmacy for your family. These helpful items are the herbs, spices and vegetables commonly found in most kitchens today. The art of using them to create helpful remedies for family life I call ‘Kitchen Herbology’.

Here are some remedy recipes for you to try. Making them now will ensure you will have them when you need them and for the season of colds.

Tincture: Cold and Sinus Remedy

1 oz each:

Cayenne pepper

Ginger root (sliced but peeling is not necessary)

Fresh garlic (peeled and sliced )

Yellow onion (peeled and sliced)

Horseradish (fresh root sliced or from a jar- as pure as possible- not creamed)

One whole lemon sliced with some of its ‘zest’.

Combine all of the above in a large jar that has a lid. Add enough apple cider vinegar to completely cover everything and to fill the jar. No other type of vinegar is suitable. Shake at least once a day for two weeks. Strain and keep in the refrigerator.

It makes the best sore throat gargle. You can swallow 1-2 Tbsp or add 1-2 Tbsp to a pure juice or add hot water to make a tea. Take every 4 hours for the first 2 days of a cold, flu, sinus congestion, allergies. (Don’t wake yourself up in the night to take it. Sleep is too important to the healing process.) Taper off to every 6-8 hours over the next few days as you start to feel better. This remedy will promote perspiration, bowel movements, urination, mucous elimination. My clients also report they love it as a salad dressing!

Tea: Digestive Tonic

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp peppermint

¼ tsp fennel seeds

¼ tsp ginger (fresh will be a little tastier and effective)

Place all of the above in a small saucepan. Add 1 cup water. Slowly bring to a boil and simmer very gently for 5-10 min. If it continues to boil, turn off heat and let steep for 10 min. Strain and drink. This is an excellent remedy for indigestion, gas, intestinal discomfort and congestion. Often one cup is all you need for relief.

Juicing: Carrot, Beet and Celery

Put through a juicer 4 carrots, 1 beet and 2 stalks of celery. Prepare them as recommended for your juicer. Drink no more than ½- 1 cup of a juiced drink at one time. They are very condensed and power-packed. Have no more than 3 cups in one day. This combination has multiple health benefits. Altogether they cleanse blood, lymph, liver and gall bladder: support the brain and nervous system; flush the kidneys; remedy constipation; ease ‘growing pains’, support teeth and bone growth.

Add 1 grapefruit for colds and sinus problems.

Just a side note. For centuries the English called vegetables ‘herbs’.

As with any natural healing method, common sense and care must be a part of utilizing these kitchen remedies. When there is high fever, pain, profuse bleeding, difficulty in breathing, disorientation, always seek medical help immediately. These remedies are not intended to replace medicine for serious illnesses. Children under 12 always have half the dosage of an adult. Very young children could have very small amounts added to their regular juice. In all cases, adult supervision is assumed.

To be on the safe side and in accordance with professional practice I recommend you consult your medical practitioner for confirmation that these remedies are right for you and your family.

Penny Waters

Master Herbalist

Sandpoint

Can be reached at: 208 597 4343 or at sunpen54@yahoo.com

A Common Complaint from Today’s Busy People

Each of us has heard from many of our friends and family that they suffer from arthritis. It seems to be common today and we have begun to take it for granted. With the coming of the maturing of the “boomers” we have begun to expect arthritis as part of the aging experience.

Research is uncovering that arthritis has begun to affect people as early as age 25. One of the professional dental assistants I have recently been visiting shared with me that her three year old daughter is suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I was stunned to hear that.

Arthritis is generally considered an inflammation of the joints leading to pain or tenderness, stiffness, perhaps localized swelling, sometimes a “crunchiness” sound in the joints known as crepitis, and often a loss of full use potential in the affected areas, mainly the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, and ankles. This occurs because joint spaces become narrowed due to a loss of cartilage or crystalline boney deposits. Wear and tear, normal for active people, as well as repetitive motions experienced in work and sports activities accumulates as we age and may cause damage to the collagen matrix covering and padding our joint ends. Our joints are always moving, bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, fluids, etc. to enable our actions. Stress and strain on our joints can cause damage that in turn causes irritation and thus inflammation. Surfaces that were once smooth become rough, irritated, and tender. Such inflammation alerts the body to release enzymes that further damage the irritated cartilage.

Two forms of arthritis are more familiarly recognized: Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). We ask ourselves, “What, if I am living a normal active lifestyle, causes me to acquire such a condition?” Some causes may be congenital predisposition as arthritis tends to run in families, such as abnormalities in joint or bone structures. Also trauma, obesity whereby excess weight places additional wear on weight bearing joints, nutritional deficiencies, illness or disease, even previously experienced ones leaving an “imprint” on structures, allergies, immune disorders, stress (and who doesn’t experience stress in our busy lives), and our everyday exposures to environmental pollutants and toxins.

Most of these “symptoms” are addressed with pain relieving medications, and many work well in spite of the variety of side effects. But the causes are the real culprits that must be addressed to bring on the most long lasting results.

Natural therapies have become more widespread in reducing the pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of mobility in affected joints and can work in complement with ongoing medical interventions. As a massage therapist studying holistic nutrition, I have become fascinated with the connection of dietary choices that can accelerate or diminish the symptoms of OA or RA. And, as well, our exposures to industrial pollutants and toxins have lead to many disorders affecting digestion, all with a connection to OA and RA, such as leaky gut syndrome, GERD (acid reflux), candidiasis (overgrowth of yeasts in the gut), allergies, chemical sensitivities, chronic infections, and autoimmune disorders as in ankylosing spondylitis and lupus erythematosis.

The members of The Sandpoint Wellness Council often serve clients suffering from arthritic conditions and seek to find answers and solutions to the many individualistic causes. Following are the therapies they find most effective in relieving the day-to-day symptoms enabling an improvement in pain management, overall health and healing, and mobility. Our goal is to provide information to help you choose a therapy best suited for your needs, and we always welcome your responses to our articles. Please visit our website, www.sandpointwellnesscouncil.com, and share with us your stories, comments, and ideas.

Krystle Shapiro, LMT. Touchstone Massage Therapy 208/290-6760

When joints are stiff and inflamed, the surrounding muscles respond by tightening up. The brain sends chemistry to the affected areas signaling the need to protect, and this in turn informs the muscles to react whereby they then further compress the joints. Massage therapy can relax tensed muscles, gently stretch and release spasms, reduce associated pain, and improve overall mobility of joint function.

Ilani Kopiecki, CMT, Ilani Healing CranioSacral, 208/610-2005

The pain and inflammation from arthritis can be miserable and sometimes debilitating. Through the release work of CranioSacral Therapy, tight tissues brought on by arthritis can be softened, enabling blood flow and oxygen to surge into inflamed areas, providing pain relief and mobility. Since CranioSacral Therapy is based on light touch, the affected area can be treated without much invasive manipulation, thus preventing more discomfort for the client.

Owen Marcus, MA, Certified Advance Rolfer, 208/265-8440, www.align.org

In thirty years of practice, I’ve worked with many people who were diagnosed with arthritis. After Rolfing, the symptoms usually went away when the soft tissue tension left. In this country, we traditionally had little understanding of how soft tissue (muscles and fascia – the tissue that holds everything together) affects all aspects of our existence. Last summer, my colleagues produced the first international conference on fascia at Harvard Medical School for clinicians and researchers. It was so successful that another one is planned.

Often, someone who has osteoarthritis will tell me that the joint they injured many years ago is now the joint with arthritis. Previous trauma creates a cascade of body responses that can end with a joint locking up. By releasing the effect of the trauma in the soft tissue, we can often prevent–and in few cases, reverse–arthritis. I will be the first to admit, however, that after a joint has deteriorated, removing the soft tissue strain may be of little benefit to the joint – Rolfing can prevent other areas from tightening.

Penny Waters, Reflexology and Herbs, Relaxation Destination, 208/597-4343, sunpen54@yahoo.com

Whether suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, a client will benefit from reflexology and herbs. They decrease inflammation and pain and help prevent a worsening condition. Reflexology is proven to improve blood circulation. This means stagnant, inflamed areas are flushed so swelling decreases and soreness improves. With improved circulation the liver cleanses and kidneys filter impurities more frequently, which reduces toxicity that promotes inflammation.

Reflexology will help stimulate the natural release of cortisone from the adrenal glands which reduces inflammation and pain. The relaxation of reflexology coupled with the improved circulation results in joints feeling less stiff as well as less painful. It’s wonderful that improvement can happen in painful places without having to touch them directly.

Herbs are selected for their specific properties which will benefit the person with arthritis. I look for herbs which will reduce inflammation and swelling and support liver and kidney function. Burdock is an excellent choice for these goals. Cleansing herbs that will penetrate into muscles and tissue walls; cleansers that will break down organic waste such as uric acid; pain relieving herbs; herbs with high levels of vitamin C to return an acid system to an alkaline system will all be combined into a formula for relief.

Lifestyle support is very valuable so I make the following suggestions: Movement/exercise will help stiff joints from becoming heavily arthritic. Do a little every day. Reduction of highly acidic foods (examples are meats, acidic fruit) will also support a return to well-being. I encourage my clients to do their best to make dietary changes that will help them feel better. All kinds of supportive ideas are available in a little booklet I have for my clients for easy reference. Reflexology and herbs offer a safe and healthy way to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Check with your doctor, as always, and then discover the help that is available.

Mario Roxas, Naturopathic Physician, 208/946-0984

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints. There are several potential factors that can contribute to an individual developing arthritis. Such factors include genetics, age, weight, previous injuries, illness or infection, and chronic repetitive movements as associated with a job or a sport. Mounting clinical evidence suggests that dietary habits and potential nutritional deficiencies can also be significant contributing factors to arthritis.

As a naturopathic physician I work with patients not only to diminish their arthritis, but get to the cause of their pain and inflammation. This involves taking a fairly comprehensive personal medical history that looks at all those factors mentioned above, from family history, to past illnesses and injuries, to occupation, hobbies and level of physical activity. This medical history also includes taking an in-depth look at a patient’s diet. Once this done, I develop a treatment plan that outlines specific nutritional considerations and dietary recommendations that can help lessen inflammation and promote healing for that particular individual. I may also incorporate anti-inflammatory herbs to further help soothe pain and promote relaxation and soft tissue repair, and physiotherapeutic modalities, such as hydrotherapy, stretching, and various bodywork techniques, to help increase circulation, reduce stress, and enhance flexibility.

At this point it is important to note is that there is no one set treatment plan. For instance, if 10 people came to the office diagnosed with arthritis, they may all share similar general symptoms, but their root cause may be different. For one person it may be an underlying nutritional deficiency. For another, an immune function issue. And for yet another it may be a metabolism issue. Consequently, each person may leave with a different treatment plan. One thing that is consistent with each plan is my adherence to the principles of naturopathic medicine which are: First, do no harm, address the cause not just the symptom, treat the whole individual not just the injury, help the body heal itself, and promote prevention and wellness. Please visit my website at: www.drroxas.com

Kristine Battey MSPT, ATC, CSCS, HLC, Owner Divine Health & Fitness, www.divinehf.com, 208-946-7072

I have worked with many people with varying levels of arthritis. I teach people exercises designed to preserve and increase the strength and use of their joints. People who suffer from arthritis usually always feel better after exercising. Exercise helps the joints to become looser and glide better which in turn decreases the amount of pain and stiffness a person may suffer from.

An exercise session may begin with low or non-impact aerobic exercise such as the stationary bike or elliptical machine to warm up the body and begin to loosen the joints. Aerobic exercise also strengthens the heart, helps to maintain weight, and increases the overall fitness level. The more fit a person with arthritis is, the easier the disease is to manage and the more active and pain-free the person is likely to be. Gentle range of motion exercises are another type of exercise that moves the joint through it’s full range of motion helping to relieve stiffness, improving and maintaining joint mobility, and increasing flexibility. Strengthening exercises preserve and increase muscle strength, increase the person’s general level of fitness, and help to maintain overall body strength and weight.

Any exercise program that I design is always tailored to the individual’s disease and limitations. Any movement is better than no movement and will improve the person’s quality of life significantly.