The Arthritis Helpbook
2008
The Arthritis Helpbook by Kate Lorig and James F Fries
Published by Da Capo press
ISBN: 978 0 7382 1070 4
Price: £4.99 + £2.00 p&p,
Reviewer: Liz Simons
Initially, this book – an abridged version of a larger one with the same title – seemed a bit dense without pictures etc but I decided it was worth a read.
‘Fibromyalgia’ is very well explained – having trained 15 years ago as an osteopath, it wasn’t mentioned on my course. It is now given by GPs as a blanket term for muscle aches and pains. Since people in pain like a diagnosis, it has given me knowledge in how to treat these sorts of patients.
There are excellent practical tips, with the main message of the book being own the disease and get on with it, and some very good exercise recommendations. In addition, there are lovely relaxation tips – we all know it is important to be able to chill and there are some great techniques to talk to clients about learning to relax.
This book is ideal for people who want to help themselves and take its messages on board but those people who want to winge and get a quick fix probably won’t even bother reading it.