Integrative Medical Approach to Therapy in Rheumatology
The physicians at RTMC strive to provide the newest and most effective treatment for our patients’ health and well-being. We understand that patients commonly take nutritional supplements in addition to what we prescribe. We feel that patients should be able to discuss this with us freely and allow us to participate with them. We are knowledgeable in the benefit/toxicity profile of supplements that are marketed for arthritis. In addition, we can also inform you of any potential interactions with other medications that you may be concurrently taking for other health conditions.
As an innovative medical practice we take a comprehensive approach combining traditional westernized medicines as well as nutritional supplements such as vitamins, herbs, and trace minerals. Dr Jenny S. Oh and Dr Boris Ratiner are both dual board certified physicians in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. We believe strongly in utilizing and recommending only those nutritional supplements that we feel will optimize care. Through our own extensive research, we have custom formulated supplements at therapeutic dosages specifically for use in our patients with rheumatological conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain syndromes including fibromyalgia, muscle pain, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Nutritional supplements are frequently falsely advertised in regards to its effectiveness and purity of product. Since they are often unregulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), these supplements are marketed without undergoing rigorous clinical trials and are recommended by non-medical sales people whose interests do not lie with the patient.
The supplement mixtures that we make are unique and these combinations of nutritional supplements, herbs, vitamins, and minerals cannot be found at any local health food store. We use only the most respected manufactures who guarantee the purity of their ingredients. We do not plan to mass produce these supplements as we will constantly be monitoring its effects and modifying dosages and ingredients as new information is released in the scientific literature. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of complimentary supplement use for rheumatological diseases.
We are currently in the process of custom manufacturing supplements that block different points in the pathway of joint destruction in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. We believe that use of natural supplements will provide a superior alternative to NSAIDS such as the COX-2 inhibitors and others such as indomethacin, tylenol, and other pain medications. We also believe that these supplements may help prevent joint damage and help joint pain, but with less adverse reactions and toxicities than are seen in conventional pain medications.
