The Arthritis Handbook: Improve Your Health and Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness)

Dr. Grant Cooper
DiaMedica Publications (2008)
ISBN 9780979356414
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (5/08)


A medical doctor that has devoted his life to the study of arthritis, Dr. Cooper became interested in this disease as a child. Seeing his own grandmother suffer the pain and debilitating effects of this crippler was his inspiration. Working at New York’s “Beth Israel Medical Center” in the Orthopedics Department, Dr. Grant Cooper specializes in the care of people with spine, sports and musculoskeletal problems.

“The Arthritis Handbook” is a five-part, 224-page book that will change the lives of arthritis sufferers everywhere. Dr. Cooper has broken it down to a combination of three vital elements. These three elements are diet, exercise and carefully selected supplements to a healthy diet. Dr. Cooper shows you how you can do much more to ease your pain than just taking pills. He does not advocate discontinuance of such drugs as are prescribed; he just gives the reader alternatives.

In Part I, he defines:  Osteoarthritis and how it develops in the human body. The role obesity plays in damaging the cushioning properties of cartilage. How the additional weight puts undue pressure on these joints, causing damage to the cushion. Part II deals with nutrition and the benefits of eating a healthy diet. Grant stresses such things as more fruits and vegetables, less red meat and more fish.  The depth and concise detail that these topics covered kept me very interested. I enjoyed the way he explained the diet and what each part played toward a healthy body.

Part III explained the importance of exercise and the types of exercise one should do to help ease the pain of this disease. He covers this portion of the book with many photographs and an in-depth discussion. So in-depth is his coverage of this important area that he dedicates about a third of the book to it. Stretching, Strength Training, Aerobics, specific knee and hip exercises and lifestyle changes are just some of the topics covered.

Part IV describes what Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are and what part they play in the health of the human body.  Part V is the one we all fear, “Medical and Surgical Options.” Dr. Cooper gives an insight into medications, injections and surgery. Explaining the benefits and drawbacks of these procedures, he lets the reader know what can be expected.

I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing book and recommend it highly to anyone that has this disease and wants to know more, or has a loved one that has this crippling debilitator. “The Arthritis Handbook” is very well written and presented, in-depth examples and explanations, good pictures and quality printing earned this book my highest A+ rating. Buy it, read it and live well by following Dr. Cooper’s recommendations.

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