RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: MODIFY NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

When a new problem develops, it is tempting to indulge in negative thinking. After all, negative thinking is a part of human nature, and we all fall victim to it on occasion. Because RA is a chronic condition and the problems it poses often appear overwhelming, it is only natural that negative thoughts will occupy you from time to time.
Conversely, it is bard work to maintain a positive attitude. When we’re in the middle of a thunderstorm, it is difficult to focus on the sun hidden behind the clouds. Despite the difficulty of maintaining a positive attitude, let it be said: Persistent negative thinking is harmful. Persistent negative thinking can be our worst enemy. For one thing, negativism is often irrational in that it is based on emotions more than on facts. Focusing on negative thoughts usually makes us feel worse, and negative thoughts can lead us to take negative actions, alienating the people we love and need. Finally, negative thinking does not lead us to develop solutions to problems or help us to accomplish goals. In other words, it doesn’t lead us where we want to be.
Try to be vigilant about negative thinking: When you notice yourself thinking negative thoughts, stop yourself and redirect your thoughts. Tell yourself what you need to hear to stop these thoughts. For example, you might ask yourself, “How does this thought help me?” Or you can say to yourself, “Stop this useless rubbish”; “Enough of this negative thinking”; “These ideas are getting me nowhere.” Perhaps the words that work for you are as simple as “Cut this out.” In fact, sometimes if you become a little angry with (or even insulting to) yourself, you can “snap out” of negativity with relative ease.
Once you recognize the negative thought, think about it. What caused you to have this thought? Did this thought help you? Hurt you? Then modify the thought into something constructive. This strategy, called positive reappraisal, can be an extremely useful tool in coping with any chronic illness.
Here are some examples of positive reappraisal:
Negative thought: “I can’t do this.”
Modified thought: “This will be a challenge, but I’ll try to do it one step at a time.
“Self-message: I am innovative and capable.
Negative thought: “I can’t play ball with Billy like other fathers can with their kids.” Modified thought: “I’ll show Billy the antique cars at the auction and we’ll have a great time together.” Self-message: I have a lot to offer, and others enjoy my company.
Negative thought: “I’ll just be in their way.”
Modified thought: “We always have a good time together.”
Self-message: They love me, not my joints.
Negative thought: “I don’t even want to get out of bed.”
Modified thought: “I’ll feel so much better after my nice warm shower.”
Self-message: I can help myself.
Negative thought: “My boss is a heartless jerk.”
Modified thought: “I’ll talk to my boss about ways that I can be more effective in my job.
“Self-message: I am on the way to becoming a more valued employee.
Negative thought: “This is all my fault.”
Modified thought: “I’d rather not have arthritis, but I will learn to work with it.
“Self-message: Many good people have RA. I am a good person and I did not cause myself to have RA.
Negative thought: “I’ll never get ahead.”
Modified thought: “I am really becoming organized.”
Self-message: I can develop skills I never had before.
Negative thought: “No one helps me; I’ll just do it myself.”
Modified thought: “I will develop a chore list for the kids and discuss why it’s necessary that we work together as a family.
“Self-message: Communication is essential; asking for help is okay.
Negative thought: “I will end up in a wheelchair.”
Modified thought: “Most people with RA live normal lives, and I will too.
“Self-message: Facts, not emotions, should control my thoughts.
Finally, it’s important to remember that you only compound your troubles if you feel guilty about your negative thoughts. Everyone has them. You simply need to learn to redirect them and not let them control you.
A good mental attitude is extremely powerful. It can’t eliminate the arthritis, but it can definitely improve your ability to function, mentally and physically. Positive thoughts can provide you with sanctuary in even the most troublesome of situations. You can concentrate on treasuring each of your blessings rather than toting up all of your disappointments. This will fortify you and make you a person with whom other people will want to spend time.
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THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: NOTE FOR PERSONS WITH ARTHRITIS

The program of vital nutrition outlined above has the greatest potential for optimum health and prevention of disease. It is important to realize, however, that a diet which is perfect for the building of health and prevention of disease is not necessarily the best possible diet for a sick person. Particularly in the case of arthritis, certain specific changes in this general nutritional plan must be made. During the first stages of a therapeutic biological program, for example, all bread and milk should be excluded, with the exception of soured milk and yogurt, sprouted grains, and raw wheat germ. The only form of cheese permitted is homemade cottage cheese. When the patient is well on his way to recovery, whole grain bread and milk and milk products can be gradually added to the diet again. However, a person recovering or recovered from arthritis should always be careful with acid-forming foods: bread, cereals, animal proteins, cheese, etc. It is imperative to continue with the program of vital nutrition long after recovery if lasting results are to be expected. The biological program of treatments establishes favorable conditions in your body for the rebuilding and healing processes to take place. These favorable conditions must be maintained indefinitely in order to assure the continuance of good health and prevent the recurrence of disease.

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ARTHRITIS BEATEN TODAY: CMO AND OTHER AILMENTS-TMJ (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (OR JAW) DISORDER)

That name’s such a mouthful that many people with temporal mandibular jaw disorder can’t even say it without their jaws locking up. No it’s not the tetanus infection called lockjaw. TMJ is a problem usually caused by jaw malformation, fracture, dislocation, or arthritis. It can even come just from biting down too hard on something.

It can vary from an occasionally bothersome jolt of pain when chewing or talking to a constant terrible pain that even inhibits normal speech. Minor cases can disappear in a few hours or a few days. Chronic TMJ can cause constant and dreadful pain that can last a lifetime.

To resolve the problem, doctors like to prescribe pain medications. Surgeons like to recommend surgery. Neurosurgeons will suggest neurosurgery. Chiropractors propose manipulative therapy. Dentists want to x-ray it. Acupuncturists want to jab you with needles. Any or all of these procedures may prove helpful. We have nothing against them.

But can you guess what usually works best for chronic TMJ? CMO, of course.

One female patient suffered from recurring TMJ pains as a result of her misaligned jaw. She had already run the gamut before finding CMO. Her chiropractor had manipulated her jaw and made it worse. A neurosurgeon had offered her pain medications. She saw a slew of dentists claiming to be TMJ specialists. One x-rayed her jaw, injected it with something, and constructed a splint for her to wear 24 hours a day. She tried acupuncture but that didn’t help either.

The misalignment remained and the pains kept coming back. Then a bit of dental work on one tooth worsened the situation. She began taking a lot of Advil and a number of prescription codeine tablets daily just to maintain.

Two days after starting CMO she reported that her pains were subsiding. She now enjoys an improvement of better than 80% overall, more than enough to feel quite comfortable again.

Hers was a quick response to a very severe case. Most TMJ cases respond just as quickly. Dozens have reported 100% recoveries from the problem.

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