Alternative Treatments for Arthritis Brewton AL
M
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Hospital: Brookwood Medical Center
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
4.8, out of 5 based on 10, reviews.
Rheumatology
M
Education
Medical School: Duke Univ Sch Of Med
Year of Graduation: 1973
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Hospital: Montclaire
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
2.5, out of 5 based on 6, reviews.
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of South Al Coll Of Med, Mobile Al 36688
Graduation Year: 1984
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Tulane Univ Sch Of Med, New Orleans La 70112
Graduation Year: 1974
Hospital
Hospital: Brookwood Med Ctr, Birmingham, Al
Group Practice: Birmingham Rheumatology
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of South Al Coll Of Med, Mobile Al 36688
Graduation Year: 1988
Huntsville, AL
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Female
Education
Medical School: Med Coll Of Pa, Philadelphia Pa 19129
Graduation Year: 1970
Hospital
Hospital: Huntsville Hosp-West, Huntsville, Al
Group Practice: Uab Huntsville Program
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Vanderbilt Univ Sch Of Med, Nashville Tn 37232
Graduation Year: 1958
Hospital
Hospital: Thomas Hosp, Fairhope, Al
Group Practice: Thomas Family Medical
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Case Western Reserve Univ Sch Of Med, Cleveland Oh 44106
Graduation Year: 1985
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Med Coll Of Ga Sch Of Med, Augusta Ga 30912
Graduation Year: 1980
Alternative Treatments for Arthritis
Provided by: 
By Cara McDonald
Lenore Pristash was determined to cope with the arthritis in her neck and spine—after all, the 66-year-old was a former aerobics instructor and lifelong golfer, and she was used to being in control of her body. But when her doctor recommended neck surgery to remove bone spurs, the first words out of her mouth were, “No way.” “I was afraid I would lose the ability to do the things I love,” she says.
The Conventional Rx: Pristash was taking glucosamine and chondroitin (joint supplements that aid in cartilage repair), as well as Celebrex, a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that irritated her stomach and increased her risk of heart attack and stroke.
The Alternative Rx: T’ai chi. This meditative martial art involves the fluid repetition of a series of gentle movements called forms. Pristash started attending a weekly class with a t’ai chi instructor and supplemented with DVD workouts at home.“People with arthritis benefit tremendously from the balance, stamina, endurance, focus, breathing, and social benefits they get from doing t’ai chi,” says Pristash’s instructor, Theresa Lilla, who herself has arthritis in her neck and knees. “It helps you to calm and connect with yourself, and when you’re in pain, that’s important.”
The Outcome: Before t’ai chi, Pristash could move her head only 40 degrees to the left; now she can turn it all the way to her shoulder. Her joints don’t crackle like they used to, and she stopped taking Celebrex. But a surprise benefit has been the mental effect: “T’ai chi enables you to settle your body into yourself and the earth; it sounds corny, but that’s what you do,” Pristash says. “T’ai chi has helped make this disease tolerable.” —Cara McDonald
Author: Cara McDonald
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