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Solve the pain... quite literally

S.Y.

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Hi guys,

A friend of mine suffers from arthritis. In an effort to understand the condition, I subscribed to an arthritis support group on Facebook. And boy! The pain level people are explaining going through and the amount of medication some people take there... Both are ridiculous.

One thing that is surprising to me is how infrequently natural approaches to solving the pain come up. Most there, go to see a Dr and are usually prescribed a drug, get an injection of steroids or have a surgery. And those are the lucky ones, that don't get bounced around medical professionals.

I am a big proponent of natural solutions - and so is my friend. I also believe proper nutrition can tremendously help. Both based on personal experience, and stories I have read of people solving chronic problems by changing the way they eat.

But that's me, right? I posted on the group to see if there are people who have seen some improvement after cutting junk food & eating properly. And yes, they were. I quizzed my friend, and she confirmed the same thing.

Which brings me to here.

PROBLEM: Arthritis is quite painful. Remedies for the pain will be welcome.

CUSTOMER SEGMENTS: (Anyone with arthritis really, but to focus)
- People that have young children suffering from arthritis
- People looking for natural solutions

SOLUTION:
App/SAAS/Website focusing solely on:
- nutrition tips personalized for the condition
- exercise that can help
- a pain journal (with prompts to help pinpoint triggers, and have data for when they will see their doctors)
(- Integration with voice-activated system like Alexa for elderly people?)

UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
Building a community around the solution. Depression seems to be lurking around the corner and many indicated being misunderstood in their daily life (being accused of being lazy for example when they are in pain and cant function).

REVENUES:
-
affiliate marketing (products in line with the vision)
- ad
- ebook
- possibly in-house supplements

What do you guys think?
 
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G

Guest92dX

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You don't need an app for that. Just create a membership site on Wordpress. It is only information dissemination.

Create an analog journal for them like MJ DeMarco's notepad/journal for entrepreneurs.

Now you have 2 repeatable things to sell.
 

LeoistheSun

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I actually have what the OP is speaking about. Its difficult to find the food that does not have ingredients that cause inflammation. One possible source is Lectins- which is a protein found in a lot of food.

Maybe an app that scans barcodes on food and says if it has lectins (or other things for other diets?)
 

GoGetter24

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Do you have due dilligence on existing solutions? I.e. other blogs and services that cater to this.

It sounds a decent idea though.

Perhaps you could have a stack of known solutions (or claimed solutions) for treating it. Each solution would have an affiliate (or direct) link to buy that, as well as a list of research papers on its testing history, a suggested regime, and a way for users to rate efficacy after they try it.

The centerpiece would be a page called "The Stack of Truth(tm)". It would be the total and epic survey of all possible treatments known to man. In it, there would be a checkbox next to each treatment, which each patron could check off after they tried. So then they can literally say "I've tried everything".

Of course, the real solution is to actually discover a medicine that works well without side effects. But nowadays doing that on a small budget would involve setting up your lab in a 3rd world village and selling the result online as a "supplement" or "research chemical" to escape the antisocial FDA & Co.
 
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S.Y.

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I actually have what the OP is speaking about. Its difficult to find the food that does not have ingredients that cause inflammation. One possible source is Lectins- which is a protein found in a lot of food.

Maybe an app that scans barcodes on food and says if it has lectins (or other things for other diets?)

Thanks for the idea! I will keep it handy.

Do you have due dilligence on existing solutions? I.e. other blogs and services that cater to this.

It sounds a decent idea though.

Perhaps you could have a stack of known solutions (or claimed solutions) for treating it. Each solution would have an affiliate (or direct) link to buy that, as well as a list of research papers on its testing history, a suggested regime, and a way for users to rate efficacy after they try it.

The centerpiece would be a page called "The Stack of Truth(tm)". It would be the total and epic survey of all possible treatments known to man. In it, there would be a checkbox next to each treatment, which each patron could check off after they tried. So then they can literally say "I've tried everything".

Of course, the real solution is to actually discover a medicine that works well without side effects. But nowadays doing that on a small budget would involve setting up your lab in a 3rd world village and selling the result online as a "supplement" or "research chemical" to escape the antisocial FDA & Co.

I did some research. (Not as much as I want too though, this not being the main idea I am working on. Perhaps I should hire a freelancer...) and I haven't found something focused on that angle. I have seen few blog posts/articles on potential solutions, with a paragraph or two of explanation, but none that was strictly focused on that approach. The app space is pretty much inexistent.

The rating system is something I will keep in mind. It works well with the concept of community I am counting on.

For the budget thing, when it will reach that point, it will be my role to find the necessary budget to make it work out. The beauty of entrepreneurship is to find "ways", isn't it? :)

For now, it is too centered on me. I am creating a landing page to gauge people interests. Should be up by the end of the week.
 

rollerskates

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First, you need to make it clear that your solutions are aimed at OSTEOarthritis, which it sounds like you are, but you need to make it clear. Secondly, as an arthritis sufferer, I can tell you that most patients are aware of everything out there, natural and otherwise. The AI diet, PT, all the NSAIDS (prescription and not), all the joint products, etc. How is your solution different? And I am really interested, I just don't see what you would offer that someone like me wouldn't already know about?
 

S.Y.

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First, you need to make it clear that your solutions are aimed at OSTEOarthritis, which it sounds like you are, but you need to make it clear.

Right on the money. I am focusing more on OA. And yes, I will make it crystal clear.

First, you need to make it clear that your solutions are aimed at OSTEOarthritis, which it sounds like you are, but you need to make it clear. Secondly, as an arthritis sufferer, I can tell you that most patients are aware of everything out there, natural and otherwise. The AI diet, PT, all the NSAIDS (prescription and not), all the joint products, etc. How is your solution different? And I am really interested, I just don't see what you would offer that someone like me wouldn't already know about?

For someone like you, I won't have anything new to add. (and shamelessly asking few questions I hope you will answer. Have you tried any of those diets, supplements, products? Did they work? If yes, are you still on one of those diets or using any of those products?)

My views are based on my experience in a small group of OA sufferers, and so I can be completely off.

As I mentioned in my original post, non-natural remedies are the overwhelming majority. Diet/nutrition is a small fraction, even though people seem to see some improvement when they focus on it. Every so often you see posts like:

  • "Diet? I am new to the group, I have been looking on the web for scientific papers on diet and supplements which have been proved to be beneficial. Found very few papers but lots of anecdotal advice. My theory is I have tried a lot and nothing seems to get better So I now want to know what can I do with my diet that will help and which supplements are proven to help. Can’t take pain meds."
  • "Hi, Has anyone tried excluding gluten from their diet? Has it helped? Thx"
  • "I still have no idea what diet I should do..."
  • "Good morning, I’m new to the group and grateful for the sharing members. Do you go to an orthopedic doctor or a rheumatologist:arthritis doctor for treatment? I have a first appt tomorrow with an orthopedic specialist. I don’t want a knife happy doc. Hoping for natural remedies"
All of the above are from today. I want to help those by providing on how they can naturally fight arthritis:
- in terms of food, what is known to help, why? what is known to increase the pain why? And am not talking about simply regurgitation what other websites are posting.
- physically speaking, what type of "exercises" can be done?

Aside from that creating a platform that really advocates natural solutions.

Community is a key aspect. Not only for the moral support, but also for accountability and motivation.

I might be completely off? am I @rollerskates ?
 
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GSF

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Right on the money. I am focusing more on OA. And yes, I will make it crystal clear.



For someone like you, I won't have anything new to add. (and shamelessly asking few questions I hope you will answer. Have you tried any of those diets, supplements, products? Did they work? If yes, are you still on one of those diets or using any of those products?)

My views are based on my experience in a small group of OA sufferers, and so I can be completely off.

As I mentioned in my original post, non-natural remedies are the overwhelming majority. Diet/nutrition is a small fraction, even though people seem to see some improvement when they focus on it. Every so often you see posts like:

  • "Diet? I am new to the group, I have been looking on the web for scientific papers on diet and supplements which have been proved to be beneficial. Found very few papers but lots of anecdotal advice. My theory is I have tried a lot and nothing seems to get better So I now want to know what can I do with my diet that will help and which supplements are proven to help. Can’t take pain meds."
  • "Hi, Has anyone tried excluding gluten from their diet? Has it helped? Thx"
  • "I still have no idea what diet I should do..."
  • "Good morning, I’m new to the group and grateful for the sharing members. Do you go to an orthopedic doctor or a rheumatologist:arthritis doctor for treatment? I have a first appt tomorrow with an orthopedic specialist. I don’t want a knife happy doc. Hoping for natural remedies"
All of the above are from today. I want to help those by providing on how they can naturally fight arthritis:
- in terms of food, what is known to help, why? what is known to increase the pain why? And am not talking about simply regurgitation what other websites are posting.
- physically speaking, what type of "exercises" can be done?

Aside from that creating a platform that really advocates natural solutions.

Community is a key aspect. Not only for the moral support, but also for accountability and motivation.

I might be completely off? am I @rollerskates ?
I have a similar related arthritis/ autoimmune, ankylosing spondylitis. It's difficult for many because youre stuck between health professionals who don't aknowledge the alternative remedies and pump you full of nsaids and pain killers, and hit and miss online diets and remedies from your own research.

For what it's worth, I used to do all the diets recommended online (low carb, gluten free, paleo) and various exercises. I had mixed results, sometimes they'd work other times they wouldn't. The only thing that worked for me in the end after struggling for nearly 10 years is immune suppressant jabs that I take monthly, I went from struggling to walk constantly in pain to being fit healthy and able to do anything.

I like all your ideas above especially building a community around it, isolation and depression is common especially for younger sufferers. Supplements wise, I've never tried it but I know others who have had great results with good quality CBD oil.
 

rollerskates

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Have you tried any of those diets, supplements, products? Did they work? If yes, are you still on one of those diets or using any of those products?

Modified diet, because I can't eat some of the recommended AI foods. Does it work? I'm not sure, but I will say it's better to eat a healthy diet than not. I don't use supplements because I'm already taking 3 meds (just finished one, though) and a supplement for something else.

It's difficult for many because youre stuck between health professionals who don't aknowledge the alternative remedies and pump you full of nsaids and pain killers, and hit and miss online diets and remedies from your own research.

Agreed. And not just that, if you have more than one thing going on, they seem to not be able to combine treatments together. :frown:
 

Donny Dave

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I have a similar related arthritis/ autoimmune, ankylosing spondylitis. It's difficult for many because youre stuck between health professionals who don't aknowledge the alternative remedies and pump you full of nsaids and pain killers, and hit and miss online diets and remedies from your own research.

For what it's worth, I used to do all the diets recommended online (low carb, gluten free, paleo) and various exercises. I had mixed results, sometimes they'd work other times they wouldn't. The only thing that worked for me in the end after struggling for nearly 10 years is immune suppressant jabs that I take monthly, I went from struggling to walk constantly in pain to being fit healthy and able to do anything.

I like all your ideas above especially building a community around it, isolation and depression is common especially for younger sufferers. Supplements wise, I've never tried it but I know others who have had great results with good quality CBD oil.
I have had AS since i was 18 im now 62 i managed to work in a coal mine and worked in various jobs until my 40s i lived abroad in the heat spain for 12 years and just came back from 6 weeks overseas, I had a new kidney as the nisads destroyed them. when i get back to the uk the pain seems to take over thoughts wereas when im in a hot place my ideas flourish
 

Donny Dave

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I have a similar related arthritis/ autoimmune, ankylosing spondylitis. It's difficult for many because youre stuck between health professionals who don't aknowledge the alternative remedies and pump you full of nsaids and pain killers, and hit and miss online diets and remedies from your own research.

For what it's worth, I used to do all the diets recommended online (low carb, gluten free, paleo) and various exercises. I had mixed results, sometimes they'd work other times they wouldn't. The only thing that worked for me in the end after struggling for nearly 10 years is immune suppressant jabs that I take monthly, I went from struggling to walk constantly in pain to being fit healthy and able to do anything.

I like all your ideas above especially building a community around it, isolation and depression is common especially for younger sufferers. Supplements wise, I've never tried it but I know others who have had great results with good quality CBD oil.
do you have the name of the immune suppressants that you use thanks
 

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