Alternative Treatments for Arthritis Moscow ID
Rheumatology
M
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Rochester Sch Of Med & Dentistry
Year of Graduation: 1982
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
3.9, out of 5 based on 6, reviews.
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Loyola Univ Of Chicago Stritch Sch Of Med, Maywood Il 60153
Graduation Year: 1960
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Case Western Reserve Univ Sch Of Med, Cleveland Oh 44106
Graduation Year: 1986
M
Education
Medical School: A Einstein Coll Of Med Of Yeshiva Univ
Year of Graduation: 1976
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Hospital: Kootenai Medica
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
2.4, out of 5 based on 6, reviews.
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Female
Education
Medical School: Uniformed Services Univ Of The Hlth Sci, Bethesda Md 20814
Graduation Year: 1988
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Wa Sch Of Med, Seattle Wa 98195
Graduation Year: 1979
M
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
4.2, out of 5 based on 3, reviews.
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Rochester Sch Of Med & Dentistry, Rochester Ny 14642
Graduation Year: 1982
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Female
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Wi Med Sch, Madison Wi 53706
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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