One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis: Stay Flexible and Keep Moving

by Frances Ive

Osteoarthritis is generally regarded as a progressive disease related to aging, 'wear & tear' and former injury that can be kept at bay with anti-inflammatories and painkillers but will lead inevitably to disability, surgery and joint replacement. But do not despair! As Professor Sir Sam Everington, London GP and a board member of NHS Clinical Commissioners, 'This book is not just about length of life, it is about something much more important - a happy and healthy life, whatever is thrown at you. It is about self-motivation and wellbeing. It should be prescribed on the NHS by all doctors. It can't be, but if you have osteoarthritis or want to live a happier and healthier life, buying this book is the best investment you could make.' Health writer and long-term arthritis sufferer/tamer Frances Ive has been researching and experimenting with ways to live well with osteoarthritis for many years and has developed this new, holistic, practical guide embracing exercise, diet, weight loss, complementary therapies and other strategies that will allow a full and active life. While existing books focus on nutrition/diet alone, or on the dangers of prescription drugs, One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis looks at a wide range of approaches and how each can contribute to being healthy and pain free.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2019

About the author

Almost by chance I have a children's book out - Ebony the Cat - A Quest for Survival, suitable for all ages and especially cat lovers. Ebony tells her own story of being abandoned as a kitten, the rescue trap, and finding a new family.

Finding Jo, a women's contemporary novel, set in the Himalayas. Everyone can imagine wanting to get away from difficult situations so Jo went to a retreat in India to find peace of mind.
Brown Eyes, my second novel is about a marriage crisis and in part the observations and sorrow of the family Labrador.

As a health journalist I have written over 100 articles for national newspapers and consumer magazines in the UK and South Africa too. Non-fiction includes One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis (2019).

Reviews

[Susan Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that Frances Ive has a preface by Sir Sam Everington, a leading figure in the NHS, in this book is testimony to its quality. In his preface, Sir Sam states that One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis should be prescribed on the NHS. Couldn't agree more! I'm lucky enough not to have osteoarthritis myself but I think anyone entering later life could benefit from her authoritative, yet friendly, advice on healthy eating, mental wellbeing, exercise and complementary therapies. At the very least, practising the 'do anywhere, anytime' exercises on a regular basis would, I'm sure, do so much to improve mobility, decrease people's dependence on prescription painkillers and improve quality of life.
PS I'll declare an interest – Frances is a friend and I gave her a little bit of help with this book.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right index finger and thumb joint, so I did what I always do when faced with something I need to get to grips with: I bought a book. I was hoping for something with practical advice, and that’s exactly what I found.

I worked my way through a chapter a day. The book is really easy to read and has a conversational tone, which I appreciated. It wasn’t overly scientific and felt very approachable.

Reading it gave me ideas. I’ve already started looking into the supplements it suggests and picked a few to start taking. I’ve also switched from a traditional NSAID gel to a more natural alternative, which feels like a much better fit for me.

My long-term goal is to live independently into my 80s, and my diagnosis initially felt like something that could get in the way of that. The book has given me some hope and a clear path forward. I highlighted over 100 passages and have a list of further reading to work through. I'm pleased I read it.