Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. RA can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. An autoimmune disorder, RA occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. Finding the right rheumatoid arthritis doctors near you is crucial for managing this condition effectively. In this article, we explore the options available for RA patients, including traditional treatment methods and alternative therapies that might offer relief.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex condition characterized by periods of disease flares and remissions. In RA, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation that can lead to joint damage if left untreated. It’s important to find out early and treat RA quickly to lessen its effects.
Finding Rheumatoid Arthritis Doctors Near Me
Rheumatologist
Before looking for a doctor who specializes in arthritis, it’s important to know what kind of treatment you want. If managing symptoms is what matters most, then you’ll need to find a specialist known as a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, and they can provide you with the most symptom relief.
How to Find a Rheumatologist
Here are some steps to find a rheumatologist near you:
- Get Referrals: Start with a referral list from your primary care doctor. You can also ask family, friends, and other healthcare providers for recommendations.
- Research the Rheumatologist’s Credentials: Board certification is an important factor to consider when you are choosing a rheumatologist.
- Consider the Rheumatologist’s Experience: Experience matters when you’re facing a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Evaluate Communication Style: Choose a rheumatologist with whom you are comfortable talking and who supports your information needs.
- Read Patient Reviews: Reading what other people have to say about a doctor can provide insight into how a doctor practices medicine.
Functional Medicine Doctor
If finding the cause and reversing rheumatoid arthritis is what is most important, a functional medicine doctor is what you need. A functional medicine doctor addresses the underlying causes of disease. This approach is particularly useful for chronic diseases like RA.
Functional medicine doctors often use a combination of conventional and alternative methods to treat RA. These specialists will use advanced testing to find the things that can trigger RA. Often intestinal, nutrient, and toxin testing will uncover the problems that have led to rheumatoid arthritis. Instead of drugs, functional medicine doctors will use treatments including dietary changes, supplements, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, red light therapy, and detoxification programs.
New Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is one of the most underutilized amazing treatments for RA. If you have RA and have never tried HBOT, this is something that once you try, you will love! Studies have shown that HBOT results in decreased joint pain, increased activity level, improvement in sleeping patterns, and a decreased need for RA medications.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing pure oxygen. The air pressure is increased to three times higher than normal air pressure. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. It’s this large surplus of oxygen to the body that does the magic.
HBOT reduces inflammation and pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have found that it can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for RA patients.
Can Red Light Therapy Help with Arthritis?
Red light therapy is a treatment that involves exposing the body to low levels of red or near-infrared light. Infrared light is a type of energy your eyes can’t see, but your body can feel as heat. Red light is similar to infrared, but you can see it.
Studies have shown that red light therapy can decrease pain, morning stiffness, and joint swelling in people with rheumatoid arthritis. It may also improve the quality of life for patients with chronic joint disorders. The effects of PBM on rheumatoid arthritis are attributed to its ability to reduce inflammation, stop the production of molecules that cause inflammation, and promote tissue repair and regeneration.
What is the Role of PRP in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is being explored as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PRP involves the use of a patient’s own blood, which is processed to concentrate the platelets and growth factors. The platelets are then injected into the problem joints to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Several studies and case series have shown promising results with PRP therapy for RA. For instance, a case series published in 2020 reported an improvement in joint inflammation on ultrasound imaging in some patients with RA who received PRP injections. These effects were sustained for up to one year, and no adverse effects were reported. Another study from 2017 demonstrated that PRP reduced the increase in cytokines, such as tumor-necrosis factor and interleukin-1, which are involved in joint swelling caused by RA.
Start Today!
Finding rheumatoid arthritis doctors near you and exploring all available treatment options, including alternative therapies, can provide comprehensive care for managing RA. Remember that every patient is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s crucial to have open and ongoing conversations with your healthcare providers to determine the best course of action for your individual needs. With the right team and treatment plan in place, you can manage your rheumatoid arthritis and maintain a high quality of life.
Whether you opt for traditional treatments, alternative therapies, or a combination of both, the goal is to find relief from symptoms and to prevent further joint damage.
Our office is located in Phoenix, AZ and we have Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Red Light Therapy and we are ready to help you with your rheumatoid arthritis. Functional Medicine can be done in-person or through virtual care. Got questions? Please call our office at (602) 864-0304. We are happy to answer any questions and help you!
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