Namaskar Catnipji,

While I cannot speak to traditional practice, I can speak from experience as another long-time sufferer of moderate to severe rheumatoid illness that japa and chanting in general is a great thing to do, especially when you are feeling at your worst. It has helped me to not only focus my mind but I have also used it to great benefit as a treatment for pain - and to a lesser extent to help boost treatment of inflammation through reduction of stress and tension. I have found it has also given me more strength, over time.

Sometimes though the only way to go forward is to just be, and that's okay too. There isn't really any going off-track. It's all part of the Dance.

May God's gentlest blessings ease your road ahead.

Pranams