If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent too many mornings wincing while tying your shoes, wondering why your back feels stiff even though you didn’t do anything wild the day before. For years, I thought back pain was just part of getting older—or worse, something I’d have to live with forever. That was until…
If you’ve ever felt that deep, nagging ache in your lower back that doesn’t quite go away, even after rest — yeah, I’ve been there too. What surprised me the most was learning that it wasn’t a muscle pull or a herniated disc this time, but something called facet joint syndrome. It caught me off…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints. It often causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. While most people think about RA affecting the hands, it also commonly affects the feet. In fact, over 90% of people with RA will experience foot problems during the course of their disease. That’s why…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the joints. If you’re feeling pain behind your knees, RA could be one possible reason. This kind of pain can interfere with walking, standing, or even just getting through the day. Knowing what’s going on can help you manage symptoms early and protect your…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disease that can cause pain, swelling, and damage in the joints. One of the most visible and frustrating complications of RA is finger deformity. Over time, RA can change the shape of your fingers and make it hard to do everyday things like buttoning a shirt or holding…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might already know about the joint pain, swelling, and stiffness it can bring. But did you know RA can also affect your hearing? It’s something that doesn’t get talked about much, yet it’s more common than many people realize. Understanding the connection between RA and hearing changes…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means navigating a lot of unexpected challenges—one of which, surprisingly, is how RA affects nail health. From my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how patients often overlook their nails when managing their disease. Yet, nails can tell us a lot about what’s happening beneath the surface,…
Living with RA and hip joint issues is something I see almost daily in my work as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner. And let me tell you—it’s not just a “joint pain” kind of problem. The hip, being a deep and weight-bearing joint, makes this a completely different beast compared to something like RA in the…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often means more than just managing joint pain and stiffness. One of the less talked about, yet frustrating symptoms that many patients experience is balance problems. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how RA and balance problems explained can unlock a deeper understanding of what’s happening inside the…