What to do When the Doctor Says it’s Rheumatoid Arthritis - Book Review

This book, by Harry D. Fischer, M.D. and Winnie Yu, is a book written to help people who are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Co-authored by a medical doctor and a health writer, this text is practical in content, and written in straight – forward, understandable language.

The 14 Chapters include definitions, the importance of creating a medical team, use of self-help, traditional and non-traditional methods when treating RA. It also provides a glossary of terms, a list of resources and a bibliography. Each chapter ends with a case study from a person who has RA and how they applied the topic of the chapter to his or her life.

Chapter 6, Exercising with RA, doesn’t specifically address using yoga for Arthritis, but it does support the idea that the medical experts now agree that when treating RA, there needs to be a balance between exercise and rest.

A person who is diagnosed with RA or a Yoga Therapist helping clients with RA would find it a useful resource.

However, this book is already twelve years old; therefore, some of the medicines and research may not be up to date.  Also, although the authors include a bibliography, they do not cite specific sources in their text. It would be up to the reader to delve further.

Reviewed by Amy Welden, M. Ed., RYT-200, Certified Yoga for Arthritis Instructor

You can purchase the book through Amazon HERE.