Alternative Treatments for Arthritis Omaha NE
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Ne Coll Of Med, Omaha Ne 68198
Graduation Year: 1995
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Ne Coll Of Med, Omaha Ne 68198
Graduation Year: 1977
Rheumatology
Rheumatology
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Northeastern Oh Univs Coll Of Med, Rootstown Oh 44272
Graduation Year: 1997
M
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Ne Coll Of Med
Year of Graduation: 1973
Speciality
Rheumatologist
General Information
Hospital: Clarkson Memorial Hosp, Omaha, Ne
Accepting New Patients: Yes
RateMD Rating
5.0, out of 5 based on 1, reviews.
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Univ Of Ne Coll Of Med, Omaha Ne 68198
Graduation Year: 1973
Hospital
Hospital: Clarkson Memorial Hosp, Omaha, Ne; Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Ne
Group Practice: Westroads Medical Group
Rheumatology
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Gender
Male
Education
Medical School: Creighton Univ Sch Of Med, Omaha Ne 68178
Graduation Year: 1974
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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