By Dr. Rupa A Shah, MBBS from Mumbai, India.

Surabhi was only thirty-three-years-old when she became severely crippled with rheumatoid arthritis. The warning signs had begun soon after the birth of her second child. When her condition was diagnosed, she was shocked. After all, she thought, isn’t arthritis an ailment of the aged? She was too young to come down with such an affliction. Her condition worsened and not a day went by without her having to swallow a handful of painkillers to numb the immense pain in her joints. Once a keen artist, she now found it difficult to even hold a paintbrush. Soon her daily activities were confined to visiting doctors, surgeons and pathological laboratories. Once home she’d collapse on her bed, a mass of pain.
 
By the time Surabhi was brought to our medical center, her condition had rapidly deteriorated. She came into our clinic in a wheelchair. Robbed of the strength to walk and perform even the most basic functions of day-to-day life, she had become extremely depressed. Besides being in extreme pain, she was also suffering from the side effects of taking steroids and strong medicines over a long period. She had already undergone three joint replacement and two reconstructive surgeries. All in all, hers seemed like a pretty hopeless case.
 
Even Surabhi was aware of this and consequently, seemed to have lost all her zest for life. Her increasing dependence on her family was making her feel desolate and utterly useless.
 
That was three years ago. Today, Surabhi is a happier person. There has been no further progression of the ailment. The pain and swelling now belong to the past. She has regained the use of her legs and no longer needs a wheelchair to be mobile. She has even been able to stop all the medication that had been prescribed by her doctors. Her adrenal glands have also recovered and regained their inherent ability to manufacture the deficient chemicals that once had to be administered externally through steroids. She is in greater control of her life now and has resumed her activities, including painting. Three years ago, says Surabhi, she would never have imagined that a treatment as gentle as Flower Therapy could have brought about such a dramatic recovery. Her faith in the Therapy is now tremendous.

Arthritis is the term given to a condition in which the joints are inflammed. Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can be a crippling disease. Almost all the joints of the body come under assault; the patient becomes immobile, bed ridden and undergoes tremendous pain. The disease worsens with the passage of time. Medicines do little to help. On the contrary, patients of arthritis are at risk of becoming addicted to painkillers and steroids. Thus, the body is at risk not only from the disease itself, but also from the side-effects of the drugs prescribed to treat it. Patients usually find themselves fighting a losing battle against the disease.
 
We have, in our years of experience in the field of conventional and alternative therapy, found that of all the medicines prescribed for arthritis the one that truly makes a difference is Flower Therapy. Flower Remedies are gentle, have no side-effects and treat the patient in a supportive, non-invasive manner. The quality of life improves significantly and the patient is usually able to get back in the saddle with renewed hope and vigour.
 
The best part about Flower Therapy is that it works on two levels - the physical and the emotional. Conventional medicine targets only the body, getting only one half of the job done, as a result. By simultaneously treating the emotions associated with a particular ailment, one is able to actually get to the root of the problem and finally, eliminate it. Achieving in the process, a healthy mind in a healthy body.
 
For arthritis, we recommend a combination of oral Flower remedies and Flower gels for local application and pain relief. Flower Therapy is non-addictive in nature, so one can actually stop the treatment once there is visible improvement in the condition.
 
 
What causes arthritis?

While there are many external causes for the joints to succumb to arthritis, our emotions also play a vital role in inviting this disease. Remember, the body never lies. It forces us to be honest with ourselves. Arthritis is rather common among people with a tendency to suppress their inner feelings. Over-working is another reason. People who make a habit of neglecting their personal desires and sacrificing their life for others often end up with arthritis. They work tirelessly to please others until arthritis finally makes them immobile.

Given below is a list of the Emotions associated with Arthritis:

Self-denial, Self-restrictions (restrictions placed upon the self)

A negative attitude towards the self, always believing that, "I can't", "I won't" "I shouldn't."

Resentment, Hatred

Rage, Suppressed Anger

Trying to be happy all the time

Lack of courage to voice one’s opinion

An overly servile nature, inability to say 'No’

A stressful lifestyle

Chronic inhibited or hostile/aggressive state of mind

Fear and guilt experienced early in life

Tense, moody women with very 'strict' fathers and 'rejecting' mothers.

Self-destructive personality.

Sub-conscious Rebellion.

Strong control of emotional expressions in adulthood.

Obstinate, rigid nature

Tendency to be fastidious or Over-conscientious.
 
 
There are a number of external causes that could also lead up to arthritis.

Some of the Physical Causes that might be associated with Arthritis are :

Dental Amalgam

Septic Focus Like Sinusitis, Prostitis, Cholecystits, Gingivitis etc.

Direct Injury to the joints

Indirect injury to the joints by faulty posture, occupation hazard.

Drug induced Arthritis. For example, drugs like Aspirin may actually contribute to osteoarthritis by inhibiting cartilage repair.
 
 
Post-chemotherapy
One of the principal advantages of Flower Therapy is that it works on both planes - the Mental as well as the Emotional. This obviously increases, multi-fold, the chances of making a complete recovery from arthritis.

Given below are a list of some of the flower remedies which, by targeting the mental and emotional factors, bring about a release from arthritis.

Among these, we recommend the Arthritis Flower Essence Formula as an overall best supportive remedy. Another efficacious remedy is the soothing Flower Remedy Gel in Aloe Vera base called as Comfort Gel (Aum Essences). Local application of this gel on the painful areas of the body ensures quick relief from Arthritic pain.

Flower Remedies - How they Work

In the beginning, it may not be wise to stop the prescribed painkillers or other drugs that the patient has been taking. We believe in introducing Flower Remedies gently into the system. These Remedies start working on the underlying emotions, clearing negative emotions one by one. Gradually, the patient develops a greater awareness of personal emotions and learns to deal with them, to give expression to them. This is followed by increased flexibility of the mind. Aches and pains gradually decrease, as do the swelling and stiffness in the joints and muscles.

As Surabhi discovered, Flower Therapy works in the most soothing and efficacious manner to demonstrate how significant the mind and emotions are when it comes to diseases of the body. Treat the source of the ailment and you have managed to destroy the enemy within. All with the help of Flower Power, of course!