Rheumatologist Richard H. Blau believes his experience working with patients for nearly 25 years has helped him learn what does and does not work when it comes to arthritis. Blau has taken his knowledge and incorporated into a book, Too Young To Feel Old, the Arthritis Doctor's 28-Day Formula for Pain-Free Living, which hit bookstores and online merchandisers in January.

Too Young To Feel Old promotes a "brand new approach to managing and substantially reducing arthritis pain in just a few short weeks" and offers a 28-day program that includes a four-week anti-inflammatory meal plan; step-by-step exercises; up-to-date alternative therapies; a questionnaire to evaluate an individual's condition; tips for making daily life easier; an integrative approach combining traditional medicine and alternative treatments; and the latest breakthroughs in arthritis research and traditional treatments.

According to Blau, the book stemmed from his own experiences with patients and remedies shared with him over the years. "Most patients want to know what they can do to help themselves besides or in addition to medication. This book is my way of giving back to my patients and sharing what I have learned from them. It also serves as a way to guide others about what they can do to help themselves," Blau said.

In penning Too Young To Feel Old with medical writer E.A. Tremblay, Blau combined patient input with what he believes was the best research, science, recipes, exercises and supplements and created a program to relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling of arthritis in a few short weeks.

"It is my hope that [readers] will find this book both an easy read and a source for factual information about arthritis ..." states Blau in the book's introduction. "... I have tried to combine the best of traditional medicine and the best of complementary medicine into an integrated plan of attack."

Sherrie Glasser, MS, PT, owner and director of Metropolitan Physical and Aquatic Therapy, which has offices in Garden City, Manhasset and Uniondale, calls Too Young To Feel Old a "light at the end of the tunnel for people with arthritis." She said the book "offers fun and creative ways to modify your lifestyle while easing the aches and pains we all face over the age of 30."

According to Dr. Ronald K. Kaufman, professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California's (USC) Keck School of Medicine and chief medical officer at Tenet California, Blau has written "an exciting and illuminating book that integrates his scientific understanding and expertise of rheumatology with lessons he has learned from his patients ... [the book] provides information about the basis of arthritis along with medical, physical and common treatments that have proven to be effective. This book will prove to be a useful reference to the patients and families affected by arthritis conditions."

Blau, a board certified rheumatologist, attended USC where he completed his postdoctoral training in internal medicine and his fellowship in clinical immunology and rheumatology. He was the recipient of the Southern California Lupus Foundation Research Award and the Southern California Rheumatism Society Research Award.

While Too Young To Feel Old is Blau's first published book, he has published works on Sjogren's Syndrome, vasculitis and psoriatic arthritis, among others, have appeared in the Journal of Rheumatology, the American Journal of Nephrology, the Western Journal of Medicine, the Archives of Internal Medicine and Arthritis and Rheumatism. Additionally, Blau has had academic appointments at the USC, Cornell School of Medicine and currently has a clinical appointment at New York University Medical Center and is a staff member at North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset and Glen Cove.

Too Young To Feel Old is published by Da Capo Lifelong Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group, and is available for purchase at all major bookstores and online at amazon.com, barnesandnobles.com and borders.com. Copies can also be purchased at the Arthritis Institute of Long Island, which is located at 120 Bethpage Road in Hicksville.

Prior to the book, Blau said he was only able to extend his experiences and expertise to his patients. Now, through Too Young To Feel Old, he can reach so many others. "It is a wonderful feeling to know you are helping so many other people," he said.