Dealing with arthritis

Hi everyone!

Well, it finally happened to me too... 53 years old... I went to see my doctor last week because of some pretty intense pain in my elbow, and she sent me off for an X-ray. My joints look fine overall, but they noticed the early stages of bone calcification in my left elbow—basically, the onset of arthritis.
I was prescribed some 2 mg Voltaren gel, which helped a bit, but I can still feel a nagging ache in my elbow from time to time. It’s been a week now, and that dull pain just won't quit. So, here's my question: should I even bother continuing with weight training in this condition? I’ve been hitting the gym regularly for about a year now, and everything was perfectly fine until last week. My doctor is strictly against it, though—she flat out told me, "Forget about the gym entirely if you don't want to make this worse." She suggested seeing a physical therapist if the pain doesn't subside within the week. On the other hand, my GP actually supports going back to the gym—mostly because she thinks strengthening the muscles in my arms through exercise might help alleviate the pain... sort of using isolation exercises to stabilize things. Now, who's actually being sensible here, and who's just being reckless?!!

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

If I were in your shoes, I would certainly follow the advice of Dr. McGarey and make sure to attend the therapy sessions without fail.

I almost used Google Translate for a friend, so I figured I'd just post it here for the forum too. It’s an alternative, and it might come in handy for someone.
Forgive any translation errors... my timing is a bit off lately...

OVERVIEW of osteoarthritis

[NOTE: The following commentary by William A. McGarey, MD provides a general overview of the Caica approach to arthritis. The patterns of pathology recommendation and treatment considered in Caica readings for this condition vary widely, reflecting the massive variability in how this disease manifests for every unique individual. This review should be viewed as just one perspective on how to apply the Keys approach for people suffering from osteoarthritis.]
Almost all cases of arthritis fall into one of two general classifications that are relatively easy to distinguish but poorly understood.

Atrophic arthritis—more commonly referred to as rheumatoid—is also termed proliferative arthritis or arthritis deformans. This type of disease process is characterized by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes of the joints and periarticular structures, along with bone atrophy and rarefaction. [See R. Cecil: "Joint Diseases," R. Cecil's Loebe Textbook of Medicine, 5th ed., Phila. London: Saunders Co., 1942, pp. 1408–1435; and VD Robinson: "Joint Diseases," Cecil and Loebe Textbook of Medicine, 12th ed., Phila. and London; Saunders Co., 1967, pp. 1390–1420.] In the early stages, there is swelling and joint stiffness, typically presenting with characteristic spindle-shaped swelling of the proximal interphalangeal finger joints. Later, deformity occurs with reduced mobility, often featuring ulnar deviation of the fingers as a hallmark of the disease. Subcutaneous nodules are common in these patients, and the disease usually begins in young people, more frequently in men than women. Anemia, chronic fatigue, and calcium loss in the bone structures are present, leaving the patient quite severely and chronically ill.

Hypertrophic arthritis, on the other hand, presents a completely different picture. This is more commonly called osteoarthritis and is known as degenerative or age-related arthritis. In this disease process, there is generally no inflammation or widespread joint movement issues. Unlike the loss of calcium seen elsewhere, here we see a buildup of calcium. An example of this is the so-called Heberden node—swelling and calcium accumulation at the bases of the bones in both hands. In osteoarthritis, there are calcified spurs as well as joint deformities, but never ankylosis, and rarely if ever ulnar deviation of the fingers, as seen in atrophic arthritis.

There are other types of arthritis that are less frequent. Arthritis associated with rheumatic fever, and those found with various inflammatory diseases, make up the majority of this group. Gout can be placed into its own separate classification.

In this commentary on arthritis, we will deal exclusively with atrophic and hypertrophic arthritis, focusing on their etiology and therapy.
I. PHYSIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
The physiological factors in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis are certainly different from those leading to the condition known as osteoarthritis. So, it wouldn't be surprising to find such diversity in Caica readings for these two distinct conditions. The severity of the disease as seen in atrophic arthritis, combined with its poorer prognosis, suggests that the abnormal physiology is of much deeper origin with much deeper consequences. If these different factors haven't been sufficiently investigated regarding the causes of arthritis in both cases, it will be difficult to gain an understanding of the involved physiology and the therapeutic measures that would become necessary. At the same time, there are certain underlying causes here that are common to both conditions.
A. Poor Elimination
Poor elimination—and its consequence, inadequate assimilation—appears to be a piece of the puzzle in almost all types of arthritis. Obviously, other abnormal functions in the body contribute to the problem of improper elimination, leading the body into states that result in either mild or very severe conditions that must be addressed.
In the scenarios described by Keys, things rarely follow a simple procedure, even if the individual isn't seriously ill. For instance, in [4199], it was noted that her issues stemmed from tight muscles in the back and nerves traveling through the spinal autonomic nervous system. This, in turn, causes a failure to eliminate waste through the skin, liver, or kidneys. The result? Self-poisoning via substances pulled from venous circulation, creating what’s referred to as "blood force." This force supplies the bursae and joint spaces in the lower extremities, triggering contractions in the lymphatic sacs of these areas, which ultimately hinders limb movement. This was the root cause of the arthritis.
B. Chemical Imbalance
One case... [1972] originated from sluggish liver activity linked to the gallbladder and its role in producing the "solutions" needed to help the body assimilate food. This triggered an inflammatory response that migrated to the body's locomotion centers, eventually manifesting as inflammation in the extremities. Chemical imbalances within the body—specifically a lack of iodine in the bloodstream—are cited as etiological factors.
One individual was told that most foods containing certain potential elements or salts undergo crystallization. This process settles in the joints and tendons, creating an arthritic tendency or condition.
In the case of a 53-year-old woman whose arthritis had progressed to the point of reduced mobility, unbalanced conditions weakened the resistance in the lymphatic and immune circulation throughout the extremities, particularly in the body's bursae. Keys describes bursae as specific areas where large lymphatic pockets gather during normal bodily function [5144-1]. According to Dorland's Medical Dictionary, they are sacs filled with viscous fluid located in tissue where friction would otherwise occur. Joint spaces must be included in the Caice description, which is vivid yet accurate.
Among those suffering from atrophic arthritis, poor assimilation was suggested as a cause related to glandular function [5150]. This led to infection and the subsequent onset of arthritis. In another instance, the splenic system was unable to regenerate. In yet another, glandular activity was cited as a broken mechanism, described as a karmic reaction. Glandular dysfunction between the liver and kidneys resulted in suppressed elimination and buildup in the limbs—described as an arthritic tendency—in another subject.

C. Losa Assimilation
Impaired nerve reflexes, ganglion depression resulting from poor assimilation, and dysfunctional lymphatic drainage—alongside a lack of coordination between the liver and kidneys—are all highlighted as key factors in the development of arthritis. When you look at these various malfunctions, a clear picture of the underlying mechanisms begins to emerge. Ultimately, any failure in elimination, regardless of the cause, appears to be the primary functional abnormality. In cases where glandular disturbances occur, a rheumatoid outcome seems more likely because glandular activity is so deeply tied to the body's overall balance and systemic function; according to Caica's readings, the glands act as the mediating force we often recognize as karma. Poor assimilation frequently occurs either just before or just after improper elimination, and the autonomic nervous system's ganglion function plays a major role in these abnormal physiological states.
The readings suggest that the development of arthritis might actually be an attempt by the ligaments and joints themselves to meet the demands of a system that has become toxic. With toxins circulating in the bloodstream, the lymph, lymphocytes, and hormones simply cannot work together to achieve what Keys calls full coagulation—the accumulation of tissue energy required for cellular reconstruction. Therefore, the specific type of arthritis is largely determined by which functional disruptions occurred prior to the onset of improper elimination. This is likely why rheumatoid arthritis is so closely linked to hormonal imbalances, whereas in osteoarthritis, the body maintains better equilibrium across its activities and doesn't suffer the kind of disruption that leads to such debilitating atrophy.
II. THERAPEUTIC RATIONALE
When considering therapy, we must remember that the body possesses an inherent capacity for normal function;
Our goal is to implement activities that trigger a natural response within these systems, stimulating the body to take action itself. We want to avoid making the body dependent on external elements that essentially hijack parts of the system—whether they are stripping resources from one area to fuel another, interfering with absorption, or forcing chemical reactions without actually prompting the system to return to its own natural state. [1968-3]
Perhaps the most logical approach to treating arthritis can be found in the early suggestions given to a 40-year-old woman who was the subject of study [3244-1]. Caica noted, "The causes or sources of these conditions are very subtle in nature. The effects manifesting in the extremities are difficult to endure." Nevertheless, he maintained that results would follow if the provided suggestions were applied with consistency and persistence. As he pointed out, the application follows a specific order: "first accept the conditions, gradually cleanse the system, and then begin to renew the body's energy." (3244-1)
It is absolutely vital to follow the theory of applying therapy in cycles, as there isn't a single reading on arthritis that doesn't utilize a cyclical treatment pattern. You must always carefully monitor the body's total equilibrium; if you change elimination functions without paying attention to the consequences, you could land a patient in serious trouble. This is especially true regarding the use of Epsom salts for bathing, massage, and Atomidin. One must also strive to understand the internal balance of the body. Caica suggested [5331] that if treatment is applied persistently and consistently:
... it provides coordination between the sympathetic system's elimination processes—which control elimination through the central nervous system and the blood supply to the organs themselves (namely the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys)—as well as surface circulation; all of this under the control of the nerves and muscle forces of the sensory or sympathetic system. (5331-1)
Medications, particularly sedatives, have proven useless in the readings. On the contrary, they usually just create more problems. Take, for example, the comment made regarding [3363], a 57-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, who was told that healing would require a long period of time. Unless he was willing to commit to the entire process, he was warned: "do not even begin; continuing with injections and sedatives will only further clog the body and render it increasingly useless for future activity."
Based on these observations, a therapeutic approach would consist of these four components:
1. Assimilations: This involves dietary adjustments, managing digestive issues, and incorporating beef bone broth where specified.
2. Elimination: This can be achieved through castor oil packs, various laxatives, colonoscopies, or enemas. It definitely includes hydrotherapy, such as standard warm baths, Epsom salt baths, steam rooms, or any other hydrotherapeutic routine.
3. Massages: Improving the nerve supply to muscles, tendons, and those coordinating different organs should be done via massage, electrical stimulation, or Osteopathic treatments. Various oils and blends are mentioned in the readings—some naturally irritating and others soothing.
4. Stimulating Normal Glandular Function: This will be accomplished through the use of Atomidin and/or electrical devices.
The difference in the therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis is evident in at least three categories. First, a program for rheumatoid arthritis must be designed carefully so as not to overwhelm the body too much. Second, severe rheumatoid arthritis clearly often requires electrical stimulation devices. Third, due to the deep-seated nature of the disease, rheumatoid arthritis will require a therapy course designed to perhaps act more slowly but continue over a longer duration. Osteoarthritis is obviously easier to adapt to, involving less trauma for both the patient and the doctor.

C. Losa Assimilation
Impaired nerve reflexes, ganglion depression resulting from poor assimilation, and irregular coordination between the liver and kidneys—all three serve as key markers in the etiology of arthritis. When you look at the various dysfunctional processes involved, a clear picture of the underlying mechanisms begins to emerge. At its core, any failure in elimination acts as a primary functional abnormality. If glandular disruptions are present, a rheumatoid outcome becomes much more likely, since glandular activity is inextricably linked to the body's overall balance and organ function; according to Caica’s readings, the glands act as the mediating force we often refer to as karma. Improper assimilation frequently occurs either just before or just after failed elimination, with the autonomic nervous system's ganglion function playing a major role in these physiological abnormalities.
The readings suggest that the development of arthritis might actually be an attempt by the ligaments and joints themselves to meet the needs of a system that has been poisoned. With toxins circulating in the bloodstream, the lymph and lymphocytes—along with hormones—are unable to achieve what Keys calls full coagulation, or the buildup of tissue energy required for cellular reconstruction. Consequently, the specific type of arthritis is largely determined by which functional disturbances occurred prior to the onset of improper elimination. This is likely why rheumatoid arthritis is so closely tied to hormonal imbalances, whereas in osteoarthritis, the body maintains a better equilibrium across its activities and doesn't suffer the same level of disruption that leads to such debilitating atrophy.
II. THERAPEUTIC RATIONALE
When approaching therapy, we have to remember that the body possesses an inherent capacity for normal function;
Therefore, our goal is to implement activities that trigger a natural response within these systems, stimulating them to act on their own accord. We want to avoid making the body dependent on external elements that essentially hijack parts of the system to produce activity elsewhere, or rely on absorption/chemical supply methods that fail to prompt the system itself to return to a healthy state. [1968-3]
Perhaps the most logical approach to treating arthritis can be found in the early suggestions given to a 40-year-old woman who was studied [3244-1]. Caica noted, "The causes or sources of these conditions are very subtle in nature. The effects appearing in the extremities are difficult to bear." Nevertheless, he maintained that results would follow if one applied the suggestions with consistency and persistence. As he pointed out, the applications should follow a specific sequence: "first accept the conditions, gradually cleanse the system, and then begin to restore the body's energy." (3244-1)
It is absolutely vital to follow the theory of applying therapy in cycles, as there isn't a single reading regarding arthritis that doesn't utilize a cyclical treatment pattern. You must always carefully monitor the body's total equilibrium; if you alter elimination functions without considering the consequences, you could land a patient in serious trouble. This is especially true when using Epsom salts for baths, massage, or Atomidin. One must also try to grasp the internal balance of the body. Caica suggested [5331] that if the treatment is applied persistently and consistently:
... it provides coordination between the sympathetic system's elimination and the elimination controlled through the central nervous system and blood supply to the organs themselves—namely the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys—as well as surface circulation; all of this remains under the control of the nerves and muscular forces of the sensory or sympathetic systems. (5331-1)
Medications, particularly sedatives, have proven useless in the readings. In fact, they typically cause more problems. Take, for example, the comment made regarding [3363], a 57-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, who was told that recovery would require a long road. Unless he was willing to commit fully, he was warned, "don't even start; stick to the injections and sedatives that only further clog the body and will eventually render the body increasingly useless for future activity."
Based on these observations, a therapeutic approach would consist of the following four components:
1. Assimilations: This involves dietary management, regulating digestive issues, and incorporating beef broth where specified.
2. Elimination: This could be achieved through castor oil packs, various laxatives, colonoscopies, and enemas. Hydrotherapy—such as standard warm baths, Epsom salt baths, steam rooms, or any other hydrotherapeutic routine—would certainly be included here.
3. Massages: Improving the nerve supply to muscles, tendons, and those coordinating different organs should be done via massage, electrical stimulation, or Osteopathic treatments. Various oils and blends are suggested in the readings, some naturally stimulating and others soothing.
4. Stimulating normal glandular function: This will be accomplished through the use of Atomidin and/or electrical devices.
The difference in the therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis is evident in at least three categories. First, a program for rheumatoid arthritis must be carefully designed so as not to overwhelm the body too much. Second, severe rheumatoid arthritis clearly often requires electrical device activities. Third, due to the deeply rooted nature of the disease, rheumatoid arthritis will require a therapy course designed to perhaps act more slowly but persist over a longer duration. Osteoarthritis is obviously easier to adapt to, involving less trauma for both the patient and the doctor.

III. RECOMMENDED THERAPEUTIC REGIMEN
A. Assimilation
Dietary choices play a massive role in managing arthritis, as any research will tell you. One thing you have to keep in mind—unless otherwise specified—is that your diet should lean toward being laxative in nature. Keys has repeatedly advised using celery, lettuce, carrots, and watercress frequently in salads paired with gelatin. The idea here is to boost the nutritional value found in those veggies and the gelatin itself, making them more bioavailable for the body. For some, figs and dates are suggested to help maintain that laxative effect. Vegetable juices can be especially helpful, as can boiled beets, carrots, and various other vegetables. I’d often suggest having one meal of raw green vegetables at lunchtime.

Fish, poultry, and lamb are considered the primary meat sources; just never, ever eat fried foods. It’s been noted that one should avoid salt except when using seaweed or sea salt, because honestly, does anyone dealing with arthritis really need all that sodium chloride? You should also avoid combining starches with sweets. That means no pies, no cakes, or anything of that ilk. Buckwheat pancakes or cornmeal mush might be okay, but stay away from white bread. It’s pretty obvious that the white flour used in cakes, pastries, and sweet breads creates a harmful combination.
Your nutrition needs to be well-balanced, but you want to keep starchy foods to a minimum. Leafy greens are always a winner and should be prioritized over bulbous vegetables. If someone is struggling with anemia, beef juice is a good option. Wild game is also excellent for arthritis. A common suggestion is to ramp up the raw vegetables, cut back on meat, and completely ditch sodas, alcohol, or any other stimulants. You should avoid fats as well. All these dietary factors aim to improve alkalinity, though you always have to remember to maintain a balance. When a diet is balanced according to these guidelines, the body gets the chance to assimilate the necessary components to properly continue cell regeneration throughout different parts of the body.
The recommended diet for arthritis should include:
a. All kinds of raw vegetables (except cabbage), watercress, Swiss chard, kale, carrots, celery, and lettuce (either butterhead or Romaine). These can be taken with gelatin. This should follow the Nox gelatin recipe; you can take the gelatin with tomato juice or other juices. (Think of gelatin as a catalyst in the body, helping you utilize the vitamins and other properties of fruits and vegetables.)
b. Black bread (black, rye, or whole wheat). Walnuts, specifically almonds and hazelnuts (raw walnuts are much better than those roasted or salted). Fish and seafood, poultry, lamb, wild game, liver, sweetbreads, and pork trotters. Vegetable juices or citrus juices if you aren't eating grains.
c. Berries (except strawberries) and citrus fruits.
d. Cooked leafy vegetables (except cabbage); turnips; parsnips; potato skins from baked potatoes, but skip the pulp.
e. Jerusalem artichokes once a week.
f. Plenty of watercress and beet greens (this is especially helpful for elimination).
g. Most fruits can be eaten, preferably fresh.
Avoid these foods:
a. Fruit: apples, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes.
b. Vegetables: cabbage, starchy vegetables.
c. Absolutely NO fried food!!! No fats; no pork of any kind, including bacon.
d. No beef, no veal.
e. No beer or any kind of soda.
f. No alcohol, spices, or other stimulants.
B. Elimination
Not every single text on arthritis emphasizes the use of laxatives, but there is a consistent understanding that elimination must be handled correctly. The diet mentioned above helps, and sometimes it does the entire job. In other cases, where there seems to be a real issue with constipation and toxin buildup throughout the system, an enema is suggested before starting any therapy. In other instances, it's suggested during therapy. Using Epsa sol—one teaspoon in a glass of water before breakfast for one week—has been suggested for [5197]. Another example suggests drinking peanut oil and olive oil following the recipe provided in [4199] as a way to move mucus or phlegm toward its proper action, flushing toxic forces through their correct channels.
Podophyllin gr. 1
Senna gr. 2
Sanguinaria gr. 2
Sodium Bicarbonate gr. 1

This dose, administered via capsule, was intended to be repeated after a two day rest. To then purge the toxic elements from the system, the woman was given five drops four times daily of a mixture consisting of 15 grains of gold chloride and six grains of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in 15 ounces of distilled water.
Regarding elimination—as suggested by the therapeutic protocols in the readings—steam baths and showers, along with hot baths, enemas, and cathartics, are helpful. Steam baths were recommended once with witch hazel, followed by Atomidin, which are both elimination procedures. Based on the reading, it seems reasonable to assume one shouldn't lean too heavily on harsh laxatives, enemas, or cathartics, as these can significantly disrupt the body during the healing process. Perhaps that is why there is such an emphasis on Epsom salt baths, steam rooms, warm baths, massages, and dietary-based laxatives. Certainly, during treatment, attention must be paid to elimination just as much as other parts of the therapy; "as can be seen, if the body is not treated with great care, treating one part of a disorder can be very hard on other parts of the body."

III. PROPOSED THERAPEUTIC REGIMEN
A. Assimilation
Diet plays a massive role in managing arthritis, as any standard medical text will tell you. You have to assume—unless stated otherwise—that your diet should be laxative in nature. Keys repeatedly advised using celery, lettuce, carrots, and dandelion greens frequently, mixed with gelatin as a salad. His reasoning? It boosts the nutritional value of the vegetables and the gelatin itself, providing a major boost to the body. For those needing extra help with digestion, figs and dates are often recommended to enhance that laxative effect. Vegetable juices are incredibly helpful too. Boiled beets, carrots, and various other veggies are always good choices. A midday meal consisting of raw green vegetables is a frequent suggestion.

Fish, poultry, and lamb serve as the primary meat sources; just never, ever eat fried foods. It’s been suggested to avoid salt entirely, except for what you find in algae or sea salt—after all, does anyone dealing with arthritis really need all that sodium chloride? You should also stay away from combining starches with sweets. That means no pies, no cakes, nothing of that sort. Buckwheat or cornmeal treats, like buckwheat cake or cornbread, are fine, but skip the white bread. It's obvious that the white flour used in cakes and sugary breads creates a harmful combination.
While your diet needs to be well-balanced, you want to keep starchy foods to a minimum. Green leafy vegetables are always a win and should be prioritized over bulky root vegetables. If anemia is an issue, beef broth can be useful. Wild game is also fantastic for arthritis. A common tip is to ramp up the raw veggies, cut back on meat, and completely ditch sodas, alcohol, and stimulants. You should avoid fats as well. All these dietary choices aim to improve alkalinity, though you always have to keep balance in mind. When a diet follows these guidelines, the body gets the chance to assimilate the essential factors needed to properly regenerate cells throughout the body.
The suggested diet for arthritis should include:
a. All kinds of raw vegetables (except cabbage), dandelion greens, chard, kale, carrots, celery, and lettuce (both butterhead and Romaine). These can be taken with gelatin. This should follow the Nox gelatin recipe; you can mix the gelatin with tomato juice or other juices. (Think of gelatin as a catalyst in the body, helping you absorb the vitamins and other properties found in fruits and vegetables.)
b. Black bread (such as rye or whole wheat). Walnuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts (raw walnuts are much better than the roasted or salted kind). Fish, seafood, poultry, lamb, wild game, liver, tripe, and pork trotters. Vegetable juices and citrus juices (if you aren't eating grains).
c. Berries (except strawberries) and citrus fruits.
d. Cooked leafy vegetables (except cabbage); turnips; parsnips; and potato skins from baked potatoes, but skip the actual potato pulp.
e. Jerusalem artichokes once a week.
f. Plenty of dandelion greens and beet tops (this specifically helps with elimination).
g. Most fruits can be eaten, preferably fresh.
Avoid these foods:
a. Fruits: apples, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes.
b. Vegetables: cabbage, corn.
c. Absolutely NO fried food!!! No fats; no pork of any kind, including bacon.
d. No beef, no veal.
e. No beer or any kind of soda.
f. No alcohol, spices, or other stimulants.
B. Elimination
Not every text on arthritis stresses the use of laxatives, but there is a consistent understanding that proper elimination is vital. Following the diet mentioned above helps, and sometimes it does the whole job. In cases where there seems to be a genuine problem with constipation and toxin buildup throughout the system, an enema is suggested before starting any therapy. In other instances, it's suggested during treatment. Using Epsom salt—one teaspoon in a glass of water before breakfast for one week—has been proposed as a suggestion for [5197]. One case even suggested drinking a mixture of peanut oil and olive oil according to a specific recipe [4199], acting as a substance to drive mucus or phlegm toward its proper function, moving toxic forces through their correct channels.
Podophyllin gr. 1
Senna gr. 2
Sanguinaria gr. 2
Sodium Bicarbonate gr. 1

This dose, administered via capsule, was intended to be repeated after a two day rest. To flush out any toxic elements from the system, the woman was then given five drops four times daily of a mixture consisting of 15 grains of gold chloride and six grains of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in 15 ounces of distilled water.
Regarding elimination—as suggested by the therapeutic protocols in the readings—steam baths, showers, and hot baths are helpful, along with enemas and cathartics. Steam baths were recommended once using witch hazel, followed by Atomidin, which are naturally elimination procedures as well. Based on the reading, it seems reasonable to assume one shouldn't lean too heavily on harsh laxatives, enemas, or cathartics, as these can significantly disrupt the body during the healing process. Perhaps that is why there is such an emphasis on Epsom salt baths, steam rooms, hot baths, massages, and dietary-based laxatives. Certainly, during treatment, attention must be paid to elimination just as much as other parts of the therapy; "as can be seen, if the body is not treated with great care, treating one part of a disorder can be very hard on other parts of the body."

Massage
The oils suggested for use here mostly center around peanut oil. It's by far the most common choice. You'll often see it mixed with olive oil in equal parts. Another variation involves an equal blend of peanut oil, pine oil, and olive oil. For case (4199), vinegar was used for massage over the lumbar region down to the knee, which should be followed by applying hot salt packs—either contained in cloth or in grain bags. These need to stay in place until the body dries out, which is obviously part of the elimination process. For a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, (1363) was given this specific massage recipe following an Epsom salt bath:
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 ounces
Olive oil 2 ounces
Peanut oil 2 ounces
Pine oil 1/2 ounce
Sassafras root oil 4 ounces
Liquid lanolin 1 ounce
Shake well before applying.
A mixture of two ounces each of olive oil and peanut oil, combined with one ounce of lanolin, is frequently recommended as a massage oil. Case (3244), who suffered from a major lack of assimilation—“because the system, in trying to adapt to growing destructive forces, had withdrawn the body’s vital strength”—was provided with this oily blend:
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 ounces
Olive oil 1 ounce
Peanut oil 1 ounce
Pine oil 1 ounce
Liquid lanolin 1 ounce
Perhaps pine oil provides that internal stimulus the body occasionally requires. Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol is essentially American Belo oil. Other oily blends, which provide a certain degree of irritation and heat that is sometimes preferable, are listed below. These should only be used after an Epsom salt bath.
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 ounces
Sassafras root oil 1/2 ounce
Peanut oil 2 ounces
Pine oil 1/2 ounce
Mustard oil 1/2 ounce

Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 6 ounces
Kerosene oil 1 ounce
Cedarwood oil 2 ounces
Camphor spirits 1 ounce
Mountain ash 1 ounce
Sassafras root oil 1 ounce
Mustard oil 10 ounces
Another combination is mixing olive oil with soothing tinctures in equal parts. When preparing this, you should warm the olive oil first, then add the soothing tincture. There isn't any specific reason in the readings why one oil would be preferred over another. However, peanut oil remains the most frequent choice among those used. Osteopathic manipulations are occasionally suggested, and in those instances, they often eliminated the need for frequent massages. It seems that manipulation and massage achieve similar results to some extent. Electrical therapy is occasionally proposed for very severe cases. This should be used at a doctor's discretion, and more information can be found in the A.R.E. Press brochure; two electrical devices are described in the Edgar Keys readings.;
D. Glandular Stimulation
Without a doubt, the most consistent arthritis therapy routine in the Keys readings is the combination of Atomidin, Epsom salt baths, and massage. This regimen was played out repeatedly with varying intervals for Atomidin application, different amounts of bitter salts in the warm baths, and various types of oils used for massage. This triad of therapeutic measures is then repeated in cycles with rest periods in between until the body returns to normal. One must always keep the condition of the entire body in mind; naturally, assimilation and elimination must be as appropriate as possible.
[3009] was a 63-year-old man whose arthritis had been inflammatory in previous years but was now classified as chronic. His course of therapy is interesting because it follows a typical suggestion from the readings. He was also told, "...then, from time to time—immediately before the sweating periods—the condition will, in all likelihood, become more serious. But, after a third of these sweatings, we should see improvement coming to the body, and the disorder should gradually decrease in intensity." It is highly probable that any serious chronic or acute arthritis treated with these methods will go through periods of stress and pain, as well as a seeming worsening of conditions before actual improvement occurs. Therefore, the suggestions given to this man are worth considering. The following steps of the therapy follow:
1. Take Atomidin: one drop in half a glass of water daily before breakfast for three days; then three drops daily for two days; then four drops daily for two days; followed by five drops daily for two days.
2. The next day, take a bath using 15 pounds of Epsom salt in 50 gallons of water. The water should be as hot as you can comfortably stand. Use your hands to massage your body while soaking, staying in the tub for at least twenty minutes.
3. Massage the skin immediately after drying off thoroughly. First, apply peanut oil to your limbs and spine, then follow up by rubbing with alcohol (85-90% concentration) and dipping your hands in the alcohol. This should only be done while the pores are open, which they will be right after this type of bath.
4. Take a five day rest before starting further therapy.
5. Then restart the Atomidin: one drop in half a glass of water daily for five days; then five drops daily for five days; then ten drops daily for two days.
6. Repeat the Epsom salt bath and rubbing process.
7. Rest for another five days, though during this time, you should perform a daily peanut oil massage on your spine and limbs.
8. After the five day rest, repeat the Atomidin sequence and the bitter salt bath following the same instructions.
9. Take a longer break afterward, then increase the amount of Atomidin used before bathing in the next cycle and subsequent ones. Your diet should exclude fried foods; stick to fish, poultry, and lamb for meat. Juices are good, especially vegetable juices; boiled turnips and carrots are particularly beneficial. Avoid all carbonated drinks.
10. Exercise as much as possible. Continue the daily peanut oil massage.

Massage Therapy
Most of the oils suggested for use here involve peanut oil; it’s easily the most common choice. You'll often see it mixed with olive oil in equal parts. Another variation is using equal amounts of peanut oil, pine oil, and olive oil. For patient (4199), vinegar was used for massages over the lumbar region down to the knee, which should then be followed by applying hot salt packs—either wrapped in cloth or used in grain bags. These need to stay in place until the body dries out, which is clearly part of the elimination process. For a rheumatoid arthritis patient, (1363), the following massage recipe was given after an Epsom salt bath:
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 oz
Olive oil 2 oz
Peanut oil 2 oz
Pine oil 1/2 oz
Sassafras root oil 4 oz
Liquid lanolin 1 oz
Shake well before applying.
A mixture of olive oil and peanut oil—two ounces each—with one ounce of lanolin is frequently suggested as a massage oil. Patient (3244), who suffered from poor assimilation because "the system, in attempting to adapt to growing destructive forces, had withdrawn the body's vital strength," was given this oil blend:
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 oz
Olive oil 1 oz
Peanut oil 1 oz
Pine oil 1 oz
Liquid lanolin 1 oz
Perhaps pine oil provides a necessary internal stimulus from time to time. Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol is essentially a Russian Belo oil. Other oil blends, which provide a certain degree of irritation and heat that is sometimes preferable, are listed below. These should only be used after an Epsom salt (bitter salt) bath.
Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 4 oz
Sassafras root oil 1/2 oz
Peanut oil 2 oz
Pine oil 1/2 oz
Mustard oil 1/2 oz

Epsa sol : Usolin or Nujol 6 oz
Kerosene oil 1 oz
Cedarwood oil 2 oz
Camphor spirits 1 oz
Mountain ash 1 oz
Sassafras root oil 1 oz
Mustard oil 10 oz
Another combination is equal parts olive oil and calming tincture. When preparing this, the olive oil should be heated before adding the calming tincture. The readings don't specify why one oil might be preferred over another, though peanut oil is the most frequent choice among those used. Osteopathic manipulations are occasionally suggested, and in those cases, they often eliminated the need for frequent massages. It seems that manipulation and massage lead to some of the same changes to a certain extent. Electrical therapy is occasionally suggested for very severe cases. This should be used at the doctor's discretion, and information can be found in the A.R.E. Press brochure; two electrical devices are described in the Edgar Keys readings.;
D. Glandular Stimulation
Undoubtedly, the most consistent arthritis therapy routine in the Keys readings is the combination of Atomidin, Epsom salt baths, and massage. This routine was played out repeatedly with different prescribed application periods for the Atomidin, varying amounts of bitter salts in the warm baths, and different types of oils used for massage. This triad of therapeutic measures is then repeated in cycles with rests in between until the body returns to normal. One must keep the condition of the whole body in mind, of course, and both assimilation and elimination must be as appropriate as possible.
[3009] was a 63-year-old man whose arthritis had been inflammatory in previous years but was now classified as chronic. His course of therapy is interesting because it follows a typical suggestion from the readings. He was also told, "...then, from time to time—immediately before the sweating period—the condition will seemingly become more serious. But, after a third of these sweatings, we should see improvement coming to the body, and the disorder should gradually decrease in intensity." It is very likely that any serious chronic or acute arthritis treated with these methods will go through periods of stress and pain, as well as an apparent worsening of conditions before actual improvement occurs. Therefore, the suggestions given to this man are worth considering. The following steps of the therapy follow:
1. Start with Atomidin: one drop in half a glass of water daily before breakfast for three days. Then, move to three drops daily for two days; then four drops daily for two days; then five drops daily for two days.
2. The next day, take a bath using 15 pounds of Epsom salt in 50 gallons of water. Make sure the water is as hot as you can comfortably stand. While soaking, use your hands to massage the body; you should stay in the tub for at least twenty minutes.
3. Massage the skin immediately once you are thoroughly dried off. First, apply peanut oil to your limbs and spine, then follow up by rubbing with 85-90% alcohol—make sure to dip your hands in the alcohol first. You should only do this while the pores are wide open, which they will be right after a bath like this.
4. Take a five day rest before starting further therapy.
5. Next, resume the Atomidin: one drop in half a glass of water daily for five days; then five drops daily for five days; then ten drops daily for two days.
6. Repeat the Epsom salt bath and rubbing process.
7. Rest for another five days, but during this time, perform a daily peanut oil massage on the spine and limbs.
8. After those five days of rest, repeat the Atomidin sequence and the Epsom salt bath following the exact same instructions.
9. Allow for a longer rest period afterward. In subsequent cycles, use larger amounts of Atomidin before bathing. Regarding diet: avoid fried foods entirely. Stick to fish, poultry, and lamb for meat. Juices are good, especially vegetable juices; boiled turnips and carrots are particularly beneficial. Avoid carbonated drinks at all costs.
10. Exercise as much as possible. Continue the daily peanut oil massage.

Atomidin Therapy: Alternative Proposed Routines
There have been several different routines suggested regarding the use of Atomidin. The standard approach seems to be taking it in half a glass of water right before a meal. It appears to stimulate the body, essentially priming it to flush out toxins via an Epsom salt bath. Based on what I’ve gathered from the readings, if you're dealing with a particularly acute or inflammatory case of arthritis, you should probably be more cautious with how you use Atomidin and ensure it's taken prior to the Epsom salt soak.
One drop in half a glass of water daily for five days. On the sixth day, bump it up to five drops. Then, three hours after that final dose, take an Epsom salt bath using 20 lbs. dissolved in 40 gallons of water. For this specific individual, Keys suggested that these steps might be painful, but if you stick to the plan consistently, you will see the results.
One drop in half a glass of water for five days; take a two day rest; then repeat the cycle for a second and third round.
One drop daily for ten days. On the tenth day, take five drops followed by a soak.
Apply one drop daily for five days. Follow that up with a soak or a shower and a massage. Then, take a break. Repeat this process for the second and third cycles. During the fourth cycle, switch to five drops of Atomidin daily for three days, followed by an Epsom salt bath. Rest again. Continue through the fifth and sixth series.
Take one daily for three weeks. Then, take a two day rest.
One drop daily for five days, paired with a soak.
One drop daily for five days. Then bump it up to two drops daily for five days. Three drops daily for five days. Four drops daily for five days. Five drops daily for five days. After that, take a bath.
It’s pretty obvious that how people use Atomidin varies wildly from one person to the next—there’s no real predictable pattern there. But one thing is absolutely certain: you have to respect the cyclical nature of the therapy. Regardless of the actual dosage, following that periodic rhythm is what really matters.
E. Other treatments: medical devices
How does low-current therapy actually work?
While reading, Keys suggested a treatment involving what he called low-level electrical energy, even describing a battery cell and an impedance device. He recommended this approach for various stages of treating arthritis. One woman, (5623), was told that using the impedance device would provide her system with "the right vibrations to reanimate physical strength, much like how active creative elements within the physical body produce cellular vibrations. This would bring enough vitality to facilitate a near-instantaneous physical reanimation and prevent these conditions from recurring."
Keys says that the energy provided by device impedance acts as a radio vibration in nature. Why? Because it provides the right frequency to the nervous system—both autonomic branches—creating entirely new energy within the system. This process can be materially enhanced through UV light exposure. However, this only works if those vibrational forces are already primed, which is achieved by using a radio-active device to introduce gold chloride into the system.
THERAPY SUGGESTIONS FOR ARTHRITIS: We can generally group potential osteoarthritis, arthritic tendencies, and even early-stage rheumatoid arthritis together when it comes to treatment. The goal here is to use this program to gradually bring the body back to its baseline. Taking into account the occasional setbacks mentioned above, the following can serve as a therapeutic framework for these cases:
Diet. You have to follow the dietary suggestions with absolute precision and consistency. This is crucial.
If you're dealing with long-term constipation, you really need to clear things out before starting any other treatment. I’d recommend doing a series of two or three colonoscopies, or perhaps a sequence of enemas every three or four days over a two-week period. It just makes sense to get everything moving first.
Take one drop of Atomidin in half a glass of water first thing in the morning, once a day for a week.
Taking a one-week break from therapy.
Take three drops of Atomidin daily for five days, then bump it up to ten drops on the sixth day.
On the same day, mix a bath using 20 pounds of Epsom salts in 50 gallons of water. While you're soaking, massage all your inflamed joints. You should stay in the tub for at least 20 minutes, though try not to let yourself get too lightheaded during the process. Applying ice to your head can be a huge help if that happens.
Next, massage your entire body using an equal blend of olive oil and peanut oil for about 15 to 30 minutes.
8. Take a two-week break from the iodine drops and baths. During this time, keep up with the massages three nights a week using the oil blend. You should massage your entire body, but make sure you focus extra attention on the specific areas that are bothering you. Consistency is key—keep these massages regular until the therapy is complete.
9. Once that break is over, start the whole cycle over again, beginning with three drops of Atomidin (following steps 5 through 8). After the second break, repeat the cycle once more and continue until your body feels back to normal.
NOTE: The previous review was authored by William A. McGarey
Note: This information isn't intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before applying any information found in the Keys health database.

link:
https://www.edgarcayce.org/the-readi...steoarthritis/

I’m looking into knee treatments—specifically this procedure here: