I had to share this with you all, because it is truly amazing. I've been through a lot in the past few years, between the RA coming out of remission and a series of severe flares that landed me in the hospital 3 times. I came out of the last flare with two new issues: hugely inflamed knees that wouldn't bend and an ankle all swelled up like a bag lady's, from some kind of blockage in the leg (possibly baker's cyst).
After the last hospitalization I went on a medically supervised elimination diet to try to find food triggers, and would say I got about 8-10% less symptoms, no more flares thank God, and did find food triggers to avoid. However 8-10% less isn't what I was looking for, and it didn't help with the knees or ankle.
A couple of weeks ago I stopped by the library looking for a yoga for arthritis book, and saw some Lee Holden Qi Gong videos. What the hell, they say tai chi is good for arthritis. I have seen this guy, Lee Holden, on a PBS fundraiser and his routines seemed very easy to follow. I've tried tai chi class in the past and was utterly befuddled. So I took them home and tried one, Qi Gong for Stress.
Wow - I got into it right away. I didn't realize how much crap I was carrying in the shoulders and upper back. Slept really good that night and next morning it seemed I had less pain??!! I did it again before work, then after work I did the Low Back Pain one. I had to modify that one because I couldn't kneel or do child's pose. Slept better and positively woke up with less pain.
I'll cut the details, but in about a week when I came home, noticed my ankle wasn't hanging over my shoe. I tried the back pain one and was able to kneel! An internet buddy sent me the "Qi Gong for Healthy Bones & Joints" and I've been doing that before work. I highly recommend this video to anyone with arthritis - it gently takes you from the neck to the ankles and closes with a visualization for healthy bones.
My knees are going down daily, and increasing flexibility, in teensy amounts. The ankle is also getting smaller and smaller. The other day at work I noticed my "death row" swollen knuckles looked almost normal and I have much less hand pain. In fact while doing the Qi Gong, I feel a "buzzing" sensation in the hands that seems to wipe away the strain of working all day.
Another good thing about Lee Holden, is that he's easy on the eyes for the ladies, yet at the same time, he's a regular guy, no hearts and flowers talk to turn off the gents. He was a soccer player and turned to Qi Gong to help him heal from sports injuries. Just passing along the good word.
(And sure hoping the Arthritis Fairy isn't reading because I don't want to jeopardize it.)
What sort of auto immune disease is not mentioned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajTTYI4IdoE&feature=related
I do not poo who any of this as I have always had a nagging feeling that we have the power to do more for ourselves than we do at present.
This post and a chance meeting with a stranger while walking the dog yesterday seems to have a combined message.
What the women said very simply was, Do the things you enjoy and the body will start to heal.
That message stuck to my brain and have been thinking about it for the remainder of the day and this morning.
This post and the message some how feel connected.
Whatever it is, as the old saying goes, "If it feels good, do it!" Especially if it's good for you.
Best wishes to you - I hope you find that off switch.
Thanks for writing about this. I am very interested in anything more we can do. I've asked at the Dr. about physical therapy, kinda got a blank stare. I started working out on the home gym, just arm exercises thinking it would help me retain some strength. And I've heard about Yoga for arthritis patients, so a couple of leads around town, but they seem to be a bit of a drive away. Investigated Tai Chi many years ago. I am capable in meditation (not in the spiritual sense) and so am not at all put off by any natural, non-western or non-medical practices. Anyway I wonder if possible getting involved in Qi Gong is what I have been looking for, or waiting for?
Roland
Roland, check your local library; if they don't have any Qi Gong videos to try at home, check your state's library system and request an inter-library loan. The Arthritis Foundation says we should do range of motion exercises every day, these practices just make it fun enough to actually do every day.
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