I’m back in Southampton, having flown in yesterday. So this past morning, we drove to the airport to pick up my father-in-law and his wife. We thought it might be nice to gather at the new house for Thanksgiving and to see in the new Christmas Season. 
 
And to be honest, there’s something bizarre about having Thanksgiving and the Christmas Holidays in 70-80 degree temperatures in Florida, when you’ve grown up associating them with the cooler weather of Fall in the Temperate Zone. You know, the whole “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” thing rings truer when “Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.” When it’s perrenial summer, not so much.

So, to prepare for the Season, my wife got us tickets to Winter Wonderland in New York for later this afternoon. True, the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree won’t be lit yet; the official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony won’t be for a couple of weeks– I think it’s December 4th. But all the other Lights and Christmas Decorations will be up and well worth seeing. 
 
So, I was prepared for cooler weather and looking forward to it. But last night, my wife and I went out shopping, and man, it was COLD! Late last night, it was down into the twenties. I guess I’ve been in Florida too long. I was looking forward to the cooler weather but here I am, freezing in Southampton!
 
Well, hopefully, it will warm up a little later. Brrrrrrrrrrr! This part of New York I didn’t miss.
 
Funny thing about cold weather is that, like damp weather, it can make your joints ache when you have any degenerative joint disease. Among the things that can make you feel better and provide a little relief are supplements and joint wraps.
 
I’ve mentioned before that if you improve the balance of Omega 3 Fatty Acids in your diet, by avoiding red meat, saturated fats and other sources of Omega 6 Fatty Acids and then taking fish oil and other sources of Omega 3′s, you can reduce inflammation and therefore, relieve joint pain.
 
You can also keep your joints warm, too. Ways to do this range from simple elastic or neoprene knee sleeves, to far infrared capturing KENKO wraps and magnetic knee wraps that generate  internal heat within the joint tissues (both are available from your nearest NIKKEN distributor). 

These and a number of other methods for relieving knee pain are described in greater detail in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY. See it at http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
In addition, I list a number of other methods, from across the entire health care spectrum, to relieve knee pain and restore knee function–conventional, alternative and complimentary. And I include a Baker’s dozen of the most effective exercises to prevent and eliminate knee pain, for long term relief. See them at   http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
Gotta go! Til next time, my friend, be well. And stay warm….
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to   http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved

I was notified by my email account that my account was in danger of becoming completely filled and was advised to purge some of the emails that I had let accumulate. In the process of winnowing those that I still wanted to save from those that could be safely eliminated, I came across a few that I thought might be instructive for you.
 
Every so often, I get emails from some poor souls who are suffering with persistent, or progressive knee pain. They ask for help in relieving their pain and in many instances, are fearful of knee surgery. This is one such exchange, which I pass on for the lessons it entails. I have deleted any reference to the author’s origin or identity, for reasons of privacy, and some products this person was using, but otherwise the emails are as they were written. 
 
I’ll have a few comments after you read this:
 
“Dear Dr Bill
 
I came across your website and am writing to ask your advice on which of your books would help me the most (I have spent $$$$$ on lots of so-called self-help measures, like anti-inflammatories, painkillers, etc).
 
I have what surgeons call very “mobile” knee caps. It stems from being very slightly knock-kneed. About 15 years ago (when I was in my twenties), my right knee was operated on,­ after it started to track incorrectly as a result of a fall. 
 
I had a “lateral release” arthroscopy. I was advised to have another on the left knee (I never did). Today, both my knees are extremely sore and painful. I used to do yoga, but stopped two months ago, as it was too painful for my knees.
 
The last month or so, both my knees have buckled and collapsed at the same time on two separate occasions, leaving me to collapse in a heap and barely able to walk. My right knee (the one operated on) is by far the worst. It is sore, inflamed and very painful. My left knee is not so inflamed, but is also very sore and painful.
 
I swim about once a week and exercise on steps in the pool to try to build the strength up in my legs. My knee surgeon once told me we generate four times our body weight to get up the stairs! The pain in my knees prevents me from exercising more, ­even walking. When my knees collapse, I am forced to use a cane to get around for a few weeks.
 
More recently, a GP suggested getting the meniscuses in my knees trimmed so that I can walk better. Given the experiences of my last knee operation, naturally I am not inclined to have more surgery!
 
I would welcome your advice and especially advice on which of your books may help me the most.
 
And I am a vegetarian, so fish oil is out of the question.
 
Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Kind regards…”
 
Here was my response:
 
“Sorry to hear of your problems. Your story is a common one, though. Your pain is coming from chondromalacia patellae, a degenerative softening of the cartilage in back of the kneecap. This is caused by the loose (hypermobile) patellae, which in turn is due to lax ligaments and weak muscles.
 
The best value book of mine that will help you is the newest one: HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
That includes herbs, alternative measures, and a selection of exercises that should improve your condition, by strengthening the VMO muscle.
 
Instead of fish oil (given that you’re a vegan), try FLAX SEED OIL, as a source of omega 3 fatty acids. Other herbal anti-inflammatory measures are in the book as well. 
 
Good luck. Hope this helps.
 
Best wishes,
 
Dr. Bill”
 
Well, she took my advice and this was her follow-up email:
 
“Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly (and in the middle of the night??) with useful information and advice.
 
I’ll definitely order the book – although I’m inclined to order the Little Green Book, as well
 (http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html ).
 
I don’t know much about your background, but from what I’ve read so far, you truly appear to be an ethical doctor with the highest level of integrity and one that is willing to readily share his knowledge: that in itself is remarkable as well as highly reassuring.
 
This morning, I tried the leg raises you suggested in one of your articles (with one knee bent) and immediately felt the legs were stronger. 
 
Everyone else who has told me to do leg raises in the past has suggested raising both legs at the same time (which I would do for a while, but then give up because of the strain on my back). One physician suggested raising the legs with the head held up (which then puts a strain on the neck!) You are the only one who recommends bending one knee, while raising the other leg.
 
For the first time in a long time, I have confidence that – thanks to you – I can beat this problem, without knee surgery.
 
I will keep you posted of my progress and hope you won’t mind if I contact you again should I have any questions. And of course, I’d be more than happy to provide a testimonial in due course!
 
Thanks again for your help and advice.”
 
And if you have knee pain ruining your life or the life of a loved one, don’t suffer. Help me to help you. Get my new program. Click here, NOW:   http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill 
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved