General musculoskeletal pains are par for the course; hence, why Rheumatology is important. However, when they happen from time to time and last for just a few days, there’s no cause for concern.
However, if the pain in your neck, back, joints, muscles, and bones is severe and persists for more than a few days, it’s time to see a rheumatologist. Even better, it’s time to find a Center for Rheumatology.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into:
- Why you need a specialist to treat rheumatological conditions
- Why the western medical approach isn’t enough
- The benefits of using a Center for Rheumatology
It’s a Mysterious Disease
Rheumatic diseases tend to be mysterious, and it’s challenging to identify them in their early stages. In addition, what looks like simple, everyday symptoms tend to be related to much more complex conditions.
Rheumatologists are trained to evaluate all of these symptoms to diagnose and treat underlying conditions. Finding the correct diagnosis as rapidly as possible is crucial because many rheumatological disorders respond best to treatment in their early stages.
Rheumatic diseases also tend to change or evolve. That’s why it is essential to have a rheumatologist that you trust who works at a Center for Rheumatology that can take care of all of your needs.
Why Not Just Go to Your Primary Care Physician for Treatment?
While Primary Care doctors are highly trained to treat various illnesses and acute conditions, they are not specially trained to address rheumatological conditions.
That is why adding a rheumatologist to the mix is essential for your care. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
They have trained in and are continually educated in the locomotor apparatus, bone, and soft connective tissues:
- Diagnosis
- Management
- Rehabilitation
Did You Know That There Are 100+ Types of Rheumatological Diseases?
With that said, does it surprise you that these conditions affect over 50 million Americans? This is one of the reasons that Rheumatology Centers exist. There are more than 100 types of rheumatologic diseases, including:
Not only that but the ever-increasing epidemic of autoimmune diseases like:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Polymyalgia rheumatic
- Lupus
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Osteoporosis and osteopenia
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme arthritis
The treatment of autoimmune diseases currently eclipses cancer care costs. The NIH estimates the cost of treating autoimmune diseases to be around $100 billion, almost double spent on cancer.
Why Isn’t the Traditional Western Medicine Approach Enough?
Traditional Western Medicine (Conventional Medicine) focuses on diagnosing and treating symptoms, generally with prescription medication or surgery.
For instance, this approach works well with acute medical illnesses, like colds or heart attacks. Still, it isn’t as successful at dealing with chronic medical problems like inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.
Prescribing Pharmacologic Drugs
Recently, numerous breakthroughs in pharmacologic drugs suppress the immune system to ease symptoms associated with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
Treating Symptoms
While these treatments have improved the lives of many people who have suffered from pain and disability, they often have side effects and long-term risks to health. They tend to treat the symptoms rather than getting to the causative root of the problem.
Why Is Functional Medicine the Preferred Approach to Treating Rheumatological Diseases?
Functional Medicine takes a personalized approach that emphasizes understanding the causes of physiologic imbalance in each individual patient. Functional Medicine is holistic and aims to have all body systems working at their best.
For instance, this approach incorporates various methods and therapies for supporting those systems and keeping them healthy, such as:
For example, if you struggle with a particular condition or illness, a functional medicine practitioner will:
- Work hard to identify the cause of the problem
- Prescribe an individual program to restore healthy function
- Make appropriate use of state-of-the-art traditional medical therapies
The Benefits of Using a Center for Rheumatology
We’ll use our own Rheumatology Center as an example of why you would choose to have your rheumatological condition diagnosed and treated there.
For example, our center has a:
This means that we can take care of all of your evolving diagnostic and treatment needs under one roof.
- For example, our physicians personally review and provide test results to you promptly.
- Our staff of certified medical assistants, physical therapists, nurses, x-ray technologists, and front office staff work with physicians to form their own personal patient care team.
- Also, your team works collaboratively to coordinate all diagnostic work and treatment.
- You can rest in the comfort of knowing that there is always someone who can answer questions and provide assistance.
- Similarly, we offer the most recent and innovative technologies such as musculoskeletal ultrasound to assist in diagnosis and treatment.
- Your team frequently meets to discuss your case, new treatment protocols, and promising research.
- We coordinate your care with the other professionals comprising your healthcare team.
- Most importantly, we encourage close physician/patient and family relationships so that you always feel supported in the complex and changeable nature of many rheumatic diseases.
Why Choose Living Well Dallas as Your Provider?
In conclusion, rheumatic disorders include many conditions, including chronic diseases that are often difficult to treat and are not “curable.” Some of the most common include:
Above all, we don’t just treat symptoms! We:
- Look for the root causes of autoimmune conditions
- Take a functional medicine approach to uncover the triggers
- Correct underlying imbalances
For instance, we combine the following to treat even the most complex autoimmune conditions:
- Functional Medicine
- Nutrition
- Mind-body techniques with conventional treatments
- The latest in autoimmune research
Contact Us Today
We’re here for the long haul. But, most importantly, Living Well Dallas has been around since 2005. We continue to provide personalized patient care far into the future.
And we’re excited to have Nancy Scheinost, MD, joining us as part of our Rheumatology team. She has been practicing Rheumatology in Bryan/College Station for almost three decades. She is now offering her services in Dallas!
Contact us today to visit our Center for Rheumatology! Or, better yet, make an appointment for a consultation!
