Spinal and Pelvic Conditions in Arthritis

134 Pages·2008·0.73 MB·English

Spinal and
Pelvic
Conditions in
Arthritis
a practitioners’ guide
by John Wedlake Griffiths

Spinal and
Pelvic
Conditions in
Arthritis
a practitioners’ guide
by John Wedlake Griffiths
Spinal and Pelvic Conditions in Arthritis: A practitioners’ guide
Published June 2008.
Copyright © The Arthritic Association 2008
Published by:
The Arthritic Association
One Upperton Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
BN21 2AA
Freephone Helpline:
0800 652 3188
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.arthriticassociation.org.uk
Foreword
Foreword
All Remedial Massage and Manipulative Practitioners meet patients with
arthritic conditions, usually very early on in their clinical careers. With so many
millions of sufferers in the UK, there is no shortage of people on whom to
practise one’s skills. Thirty years ago the picture was a little different; there
were many fewer Practitioners and much of mainstream medicine tended to
ignore or deride the use of massage, exercise and dietary advice as treatments
for arthritis. The perceived treatments were rest and pharmaceutical drugs,
which often had long-term complications for the patient.
Years ago, I discovered a book with an interesting title, ‘A Doctor’s Proven Home
Cure for Arthritis’ in which the author offered patients with arthritis a stark
choice of treatments for their condition – surgery and drugs on the one hand
or massage, exercise and nutrition on the other. He advocated the latter. Then,
not long afterwards, I was privileged to meet John Meek of The Arthritic
Association who had such an important influence, not only on my treatments,
but also on the treatments of thousands of other Practitioners. John Meek’s
important work for The Arthritic Association has been carried on by Bruce
Hester, John Wedlake Griffiths and many other dedicated therapists.
Massage can make a huge different to patients with arthritis; many Practitioners
experience this in their clinics. Add to this success the nutritional support of
the de Coti-Marsh regime and the rate of successful treatments increases and
patients feel the difference and begin to lead lives that are not so dominated by
pain and the loss of mobility.
I have treated many patients with arthritis in clinics over the years. Additionally,
I have helped train Practitioners in my work at the Northern Institute of
Massage and, in recent years, I have been involved in several studies and
research projects about arthritis in collaboration with the Northern Institute
of Massage and the University of Central Lancashire. There is good, scientific
evidence available in recent times of the benefits to patients with arthritis who
receive the treatments that are advocated in this book.
I was delighted when John Wedlake Griffiths sent me the draft of his book,
which I read in one long sitting as his expert and sympathetic understanding of
the theory, philosophy and practical implications of the treatment of arthritis
captivated my attention. So much of what we have learned and experienced
has been enshrined in this book. Not only do I recommend all Practitioners
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Spinal and pelvic conditions in arthritis: A practitioners’ guide
acquire the book, but I will treasure and use my own copy. John has provided
the opportunity to help Practitioners provide better and more successful
treatments for their patients.
Eddie Caldwell, BEd (Hons), NAMMT (ManipTh), ACP
Honorary Member of the Society of Sports Therapists
Principle of the Northern Institute of Massage, 1995–2005.
iv
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This book has been written as a gift to The Arthritic Association and it is
my contribution to the momentous work that it carries out to promote the
teachings of the late Charles de Coti-Marsh, which help people to overcome
the potentially crippling disease of arthritis. The Arthritic Association has kindly
met all production costs.
I would also like to thank the following people. My wife, Jan, for providing the
illustrations for this book and for her tolerance and understanding. Ian Sketchley
for his encouragement and his facilitating expertise. Dr Hannah Lewis for her
expertise in converting my ramblings into presentable text. My thanks are
extended to all those who helped me to complete this book.
John Wedlake Griffiths
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Spinal and pelvic conditions in arthritis: A practitioners’ guide
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Table of contents
Table of contents
Foreword iii
Acknowledgements v
Introduction 1
My approach 3
Chapter 1: Understanding the power and force of muscles 6
Muscle effects and malfunctions 6
Muscle force 6
Muscle pain 9
Supplying energy to muscles 10
Muscle malfunction 11
The pelvis 14
Cartilage deterioration and theories 14
Cartilage deterioration 15
The effect of evolution on body positioning 15
Hip replacement surgery 17
Using leg length to determine the health of the muscles in the pelvic area 18
Injury and the development of arthritis 19
Osteoarthritis 19
Rheumatoid arthritis 20
Preparing joints for manipulation 23
Spinal injury 24
Chapter 2: Arthritis diagnosis 25
Fear and disappointment in patients 25
Flippant diagnosis 26
Intricate and detailed diagnosis 26
The impact of health to ward off arthritis 27
Diet 27
Nerve interference and muscle alignment 29
Chapter 3: Consultation, including medical history and diet 32
First meeting with the patient 32
Consultation protocol 32
Salient questions 33
Listening to the patient 33
Questions on which to elaborate 34
Family history of arthritis 34
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Spinal and pelvic conditions in arthritis: A practitioners’ guide
Type of arthritis 34
The patient’s physical condition and what kind of pain they have 34
When and where the patient was diagnosed 34
X-rays or blood tests 34
Previous treatments and advice 35
Current health problems 36
Past illnesses and previous health problems 36
Nutrition, diet, supplements and weight 36
Stress, lifestyle and work patterns 37
Three-day eating plan and diet 38
Chapter 4: Examining patients 39
Introduction 39
Contributory factors to arthritis 39
Scoliosis 39
Poor postural habits 40
Muscle imbalance 41
Poor metabolism 41
Nerve impingement 41
Disc herniation and spasmed muscles 41
Body systems 42
Leg length difference – actual or apparent 42
The holistic nature of the body 43
Not making assumptions 44
Solving the puzzle 44
Spinal injuries 44
Treating the problem you see 46
Understanding X‑rays and scans 47
Examination protocol 47
Examining a patient with arthritis 49
Examining the patient on the couch 50
After the patient’s examination 51
Examining the patient’s progress 51
Nutrition, dietary changes and supplements 51
Helpful hints to overcome bad habits 52
Further reading 52
Setting realistic goals 52
Relaxation 52
Stress 52
Exercises 53
Monitoring, reviewing and recording patient progress 53
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