Sopranos star Aida Turturro
Stars Speak out about Their Painful Battles with Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes pain throughout the body, muscle stiffness, limited motion, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. A slew of celebrities have revealed their struggles with this debilitating disorder, including Sopranos star Aida Turturro, actress Kathleen Turner and the late Oscar-winning actor James Coburn, in an effort to promote awareness of the condition.
In 1999, James Coburn, then 70, told the press that he had “cured” himself of RA — after having given up on standard treatments — through a combination of a diet rich in MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), deep tissue massage, and electromagnetic treatments. The world was stunned. Sales of MSM tripled.
Could such alternative therapies work for other RA sufferers too?
Here’s what we know about the treatments Coburn tried:
MSM
An organic sulfur commonly found in many raw foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, milk and grains. It is destroyed when these foods become processed. Coburn was likely taking MSM as a dietary supplement, however, which is derived from a raw material called DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). While using MSM, arthritis patients have reported that their pain was significantly reduced. MSM has also offered an improvement to those with other autoimmune diseases, including osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. Nevertheless, Stanley Jacob, MD, who developed MSM, affirms that it is “not a cure” for such conditions. The long term benefits and safety of using MSM as a dietary supplement have not been studied.
Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage is often used on those who have suffered injury or damage to the joints, allowing for massage on the deepest layers of muscle. It can ease the inflammation, pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. Deep tissue massage may also help the patient to regain lost strength. This type of treatment allows for a close connection between the patient and practitioner, who can generate a program that’s best for the individual’s needs. Initially, deep tissue massage can cause soreness, but this should go away within a day or two.
Electromagnetic Treatments
Some believe that electric stimulation of the body may help it repair bone and cartilage; however this form of therapy is only currently approved by the FDA in limited forms and through clinical trials, which are being run for a variety of autoimmune disorders, including RA. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, for instance, are electrical stimulator devices that can deliver small electric currents of 0.0 to 12.0 volts to the patient’s affected areas as a non-surgical option for the relief of stiffness and pain.
Where’s the Cure?
While the so-called experts continue to protect themselves by refusing to call these natural solutions as “cures”, many others agree that sulfur deficiency is a common link between RA and other auto immune and neurological conditions. So, obviously, supplementing this mineral (MSM) and building immunity can greatly reduce aches and pains. Could the cure surface as mineral supplementation and immunity building?
You’re welcome to share your experiences.
Adrienne writes for special-interest magazines and has worked on the production of women’s lifestyle channels at AOL as well as at E! Entertainment Television. She graduated from CUNY Baruch, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the award-winning student newspaper The Ticker.
Gina Laverde says
I don’t have arthritis, but I have Candida — which causes horrible muscle and joint pain and major fatigue. My son and I do have sulfur deficiency and supplement through diet. One great thing about the combination of massage and other therapies is that they help the body accept full benefit from dietary supplemenation. Sometimes, we can have defieciencies, take sipplements and not receive any benefit from them. I also recommend cranio sacral therapy. colon therapy, yoga, and an 80% alkaline diet to take stress away from the body. our bodies spend most of their time digesting our food (which takes away so much energy. By keeping our diets alkaline and easily digestible, we will gain much more energy to fight deficienccies and conquer pain.
Gina
ANUP KHANDEKAR says
Sir,I have swelling on my right knee joint. An nothing with the other body parts. It seems little less while i am taking medicines. But if the medicines are not taken for a single day the swelling increases again. please tell me if it is rheumatoid arthritis? What is the better way to cure this
Louise says
I am also a strong believer in MSM. I took pain medications for over 10 years for debilitating pain and MSM is better than any prescription I used. As far as safety, it is just made from natural food and is just as safe. For more tips and recommended amounts and benefits please see my site.
Speaking of safety, using prescription pain killers all those long years totally messed up my digestion. It destroys the mucous lining and I have suffered for years with IBS. Beware of these medications and treat the whole body with natural pain relievers, anti-inflammatory diet and mineral supplementation and targeted massage therapy.
.-= Louise´s last blog ..How I Fight Fatigue =-.
Sabrina says
To tell the truth, I like natural arthritis cures. Healthy diet definitely helps me with the situation. I try to eat more salmon for the reason that it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which is ideal for fighting arthritis.
Raini says
You are doing a grave disservice to people who suffer from RA. There is NO cure, it is an autoimmune disease. ANY thing that BOOSTS the immune system will increase the pain, deformity and progression of RA. This makes me so angry!! Think of all the newly diagnosed patients who may read this and postpone the REAL treatment…only to extend the amount of time this disease has to destroy their bodies! With RA, the bodies immune system actually sees parts of the body (joints mostly) as foreign invaders and mistakenly ATTACKS them. You are WRONG and you are causing harm. It will be interesting to see if you print my comment, which is accurate. For REAL information of RA, go to http://www.rawarrior.com. This is a site created by a REAL RA patient, with tons of correct information and tips. But, THERE IS NO CURE!!!!!!!
Joshua says
I’ve been looking for ways to help my mother with her arthritis. She has also found some relief from deep tissue massage, and she takes a sulfur supplement, but I had not read much about electromagnetic treatments. Thanks for the suggestion. It was heartbreaking to see her stop playing the piano, and now she can’t even wear her favorite gold jewelry. I appreciate any ideas I can find.