Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints (synovium) and can cause swelling that can result in aching and throbbing. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms make even the simplest activities — such as opening a jar or taking a walk — difficult to manage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and older adults.
Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Joints that are tender to the touch
- Red and puffy hands
- Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on your arms (rheumatoid nodules)
- Fatigue
- Morning stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes
- Fever
- Weight loss
Rheumatoid arthritis usually causes problems in several joints at the same time. Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — the joints in your wrists, hands, ankles and feet. As the symptoms progress, your shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, jaw and neck can also become involved.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when white blood cells — whose usual job is to attack unwanted invaders, such as bacteria and viruses — move from your bloodstream into the membranes that surround your joints (synovium). The blood cells appear to play a role in causing the synovium to become inflamed. The inflammation causes the release of proteins that, over months or years, cause the synovium to thicken. The proteins can also damage the cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments near your joint. Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment. Eventually, it may be destroyed.
In order to determine if rheumatoid arthritis is affecting you, a physical exam, and history are essential. In the exam, your joints are evaluated for proper movement and function. When a joint is affected, there are generally motion restrictions, muscular weakness to the muscles surrounding the joint, and pain associated with the area. Visual deformity can also be observed. In our office, x-rays will be taken of the affected area if the doctor feels they are warranted, and a blood test could be ordered to confirm that rheumatoid arthritis is present.
Through Quantum Neurology Rehabilitation™ techniques, we rehabilitate the motor (ones that control muscles) and sensory (ones that regulate pain, and the sensations you feel) of the affected areas. Many times when patients experience the affects of rheumatoid arthritis in their joints, the neurological rehabilitation of the area restores strength, and function to the area. Since rheumatoid arthritis involves your immune system as well, a nutritional approach also enhances effects of the the Quantum Neurology™ Rehabilitation. Couple Quantum Neurology™ and nutrition with laser enhanced detoxification and it is a combination many of our patients have truly benefited from!
Together with your Rheumatologist, our goal is to help you return to the activities that were once limited by the affects of rheumatoid arthritis!
