Rheum Therapeutics

05/05/2026

Morning Stiffness: The Red Flag You Shouldn't Ignore! 🌅⏰

Do you wake up with stiff joints every morning? Before you dismiss it as "just getting older," there's one critical question you need to answer: How long does your stiffness last?

Board Certified Rheumatologists want you to understand why the duration of your morning stiffness could be a red flag for serious inflammatory disease.

The Critical Difference: Duration Matters!

Not all morning stiffness is the same. The LENGTH of time your stiffness lasts tells us whether it's normal wear-and-tear or something more serious.

Normal "Wear and Tear" Stiffness:

Duration: Just a few minutes after waking up
Pattern: Gets better quickly once you start moving around
Cause: Common with age, osteoarthritis, or after physical activity
Concern level: Not a major medical concern

This is the kind of stiffness most people experience as they get older - you feel a bit creaky when you first wake up, but within 5-10 minutes of moving around, you're feeling much better.

Inflammatory Arthritis Stiffness:

Duration: MORE than 1 HOUR after waking (often 2-3+ hours!)
Pattern: Takes a long time to improve even with movement
Cause: Inflammatory diseases attacking your joints
Concern level: 🚨 RED FLAG - needs medical evaluation

This is NOT normal aging. This is your immune system actively attacking your joints!

Why the 1-Hour Mark is So Important:

Research and clinical studies have consistently shown that morning stiffness lasting longer than 1 hour is a KEY diagnostic indicator of inflammatory arthritis, including:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
Other inflammatory rheumatic diseases

The 1-hour threshold isn't arbitrary - it's based on extensive research showing this is where inflammatory disease becomes highly likely.

What's Actually Happening in Your Body:

When you have inflammatory arthritis:

Overnight inflammation builds up - While you sleep and aren't moving, inflammatory fluid accumulates in your joints
Your immune system is overactive - It's attacking your own joint tissues, causing swelling and stiffness
Movement helps but slowly - It takes significant time (more than an hour) for movement to work through all that inflammation
The pattern repeats daily - Every morning, the same prolonged stiffness happens

This is completely different from mechanical "wear and tear" stiffness, which resolves quickly with movement.

Other Warning Signs to Watch For:

Morning stiffness lasting more than 1 hour becomes even more concerning when combined with:

✓ Multiple joints affected - Not just one knee, but hands, wrists, feet, etc.
✓ Joint swelling or warmth - Visible puffiness or joints that feel warm to touch
✓ Symptoms improve with movement - But return after periods of rest
✓ Fatigue - Persistent tiredness that goes along with the joint symptoms
✓ Symmetrical pattern - Both hands, both knees, etc. (especially with RA)

If you're experiencing these symptoms along with prolonged morning stiffness, you need to see a rheumatologist!

Why Early Diagnosis Is Critical:

Here's what many people don't realize: Inflammatory arthritis can cause permanent, irreversible joint damage if left untreated.

The good news? If caught early and treated appropriately, modern medications can:

Stop disease progression in its tracks
Prevent permanent joint damage
Reduce morning stiffness dramatically (often to near-zero!)
Improve overall quality of life
Allow you to maintain normal function

But the key word is EARLY. The longer inflammatory arthritis goes untreated, the more damage accumulates in your joints - and that damage can't be undone.

What Should You Do?
If your morning stiffness lasts LESS than 1 hour:

This is likely mechanical/wear-and-tear
Continue normal activities
Mention it at your regular checkups
No urgent concern

If your morning stiffness lasts MORE than 1 hour:

Make an appointment with your doctor
Ask for a referral to a rheumatologist
Get evaluated for inflammatory arthritis
Don't wait - early treatment prevents damage!

The Bottom Line:
Morning stiffness is incredibly common, but the DURATION is what matters most:

Less than 1 hour = likely normal mechanical stiffness
MORE than 1 hour = possible inflammatory arthritis - get evaluated!

Don't dismiss prolonged morning stiffness as "just part of getting older." Your joints are trying to tell you something important, and listening to that message could prevent permanent damage!

How long does your morning stiffness last? Have you been evaluated by a rheumatologist? Share your experience in the comments - your story might help someone else recognize their own symptoms! 💬

05/01/2026

Gout Myth #2: I Don't Need Medications to Treat My Gout! ❌💊

There are many myths about the treatment of gout. Today, Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Tom Rennie is busting a dangerous myth that prevents many people from getting proper treatment!

MYTH: You can treat gout just by modifying your diet and lifestyle - no medications needed!

THE TRUTH: This is usually NOT true!

Let's Be Clear - Diet DOES Matter!
Dr. Rennie isn't saying diet and lifestyle modifications aren't important - they absolutely ARE very important in managing your gout!
But here's the reality: Most patients with gout require medications in addition to diet changes to adequately control the disease.

The "Perfect Patient" Experiment:
Let's imagine you're the most compliant patient ever. You do EVERYTHING your physician has recommended:

✅ You've limited your alcohol consumption - maybe even quit entirely
✅ You've cut back on red meats - reduced your steak and burger intake
✅ You've reduced seafood - especially high-purine seafood like shellfish
✅ You've eliminated high fructose corn syrup - no more soda and processed foods
✅ You're consuming more dairy products - which studies show may help lower uric acid
✅ You're taking vitamin C supplements - shown to have a modest effect on uric acid
✅ You're exercising regularly - improving your overall health
✅ You're losing weight - if you were overweight to begin with

You're doing EVERYTHING perfectly!

The Hard Truth About Diet and Gout:
Even if you are this PERFECT patient who does all of these things flawlessly, the best these diet and lifestyle modifications are going to do is decrease your uric acid by about ONE POINT.

That's it. Just one point on your uric acid level.

Why This Isn't Enough:
Remember the goal for treating gout? It's very simple: You have to get your uric acid level less than 6.0
If your uric acid level is not less than 6, then your gout is not being adequately treated - period.
The Math Doesn't Add Up:
Most people with gout have uric acid levels of 8, 9, or even higher when they're first diagnosed.
If you start with a uric acid of 8 or 9, and perfect diet adherence only drops it by 1 point, you're still sitting at 7 or 8 - well above the target of less than 6!

This means most people require medication to reach the goal.
Why Is Diet Alone Insufficient?
Gout is fundamentally a metabolic and often genetic condition. Your body has one of two problems (or both):

Overproduction - Your body produces too much uric acid
Underexcretion - Your kidneys don't eliminate uric acid efficiently

Diet can help around the edges - you're not adding MORE uric acid through high-purine foods, you're supporting kidney function through hydration and weight loss, etc.
But diet can't fundamentally fix the underlying metabolic problem that's causing your gout in the first place.

So Should You Ignore Diet?
Absolutely NOT!
Diet and lifestyle modifications are still extremely valuable because:

Every point counts - that 1 point reduction genuinely helps
It may mean you need a lower dose of medication (less is more when it comes to meds)
It supports your overall health beyond just gout
It prevents gout attacks from being triggered by dietary indiscretions
Combined with medication, you get the best possible results

The Best Approach = Diet Changes + Medication
Think of it this way:

Medication gets your uric acid to the target (below 6)
Diet keeps it stable and may allow for lower medication doses
Together they provide comprehensive gout management

The Bottom Line:

Don't fall for the myth that diet alone can treat gout - it usually can't
Diet and lifestyle modifications ARE important - do them!
But don't expect diet alone to adequately control your gout
Most people need medications (allopurinol, febuxostat, or pegloticase) to get uric acid below 6
The best results come from combining healthy lifestyle changes WITH appropriate medication
Don't let perfect be the enemy of good - if your doctor prescribes medication, take it!

Proper gout treatment isn't about choosing between diet OR medication - it's about using BOTH tools together for optimal disease control!

Have you tried treating your gout with diet alone? What were your uric acid levels? Did you eventually need medication? Share your experience in the comments! 💬
Check out our other videos on how we actually treat gout with medications!
Also check out our website rheumthera.com to see how we might help you with your gout pain. Your relief starts now!

04/25/2026

Does Vitamin D Play a Role in Autoimmune Diseases? The Science Says YES! ☀️💊

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren's, or any other autoimmune disease, Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Jane Ayala wants you to understand the important role Vitamin D plays in your health!

What Does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D is crucial for:

Immune system regulation - helps keep your immune response balanced
Bone health - essential for calcium absorption and bone strength
Overall health and wellness - impacts many body systems

The Autoimmune Connection:
When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system is overactive - attacking your own tissues instead of just fighting infections and foreign invaders.
Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system, potentially calming that overactive response!

What Does the Research Show?
Studies consistently demonstrate that people with autoimmune diseases often have LOW Vitamin D levels. This isn't just a coincidence - there's a real connection between Vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune disease activity.

What Should Your Vitamin D Levels Be?
Dr. Ayala recommends:

Get your Vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test
Optimal range: 25 to 30 ng/mL
Some experts recommend even higher levels for people with autoimmune diseases

If you're below this range, you need supplementation!

Why Is Vitamin D Deficiency So Common?
It's really hard to get enough Vitamin D from food alone - very few foods contain significant amounts of Vitamin D naturally.

The Sun Connection:
The sun is actually the BEST source of Vitamin D! When sunlight hits your skin, your body makes Vitamin D naturally.

Here's what you need:

About 20-30% of your skin exposed to the sun
About 20-30 minutes of sun exposure
This works great during summer months

The Winter Problem:
But in the winter months, getting enough Vitamin D from the sun becomes nearly impossible:

Less overall sun exposure (shorter days, cold weather)
More clothing coverage (coats, long sleeves, pants)
The angle of the sun is different - less effective at triggering Vitamin D production
You're making much LESS Vitamin D naturally

This is why so many people become Vitamin D deficient in winter - especially in northern climates!

The Solution: Supplementation
Because of these challenges, most people with autoimmune diseases need Vitamin D supplementation - particularly during winter months.
Your doctor can help determine the right dose based on:

Your current Vitamin D levels
Your specific autoimmune condition
Your geographic location
The season

Why This Matters for Autoimmune Disease:
Research shows that adequate Vitamin D levels may:

Help reduce autoimmune disease activity
Support better immune system regulation
Improve overall health outcomes
Support bone health (important since some autoimmune medications can affect bones)

This is an easy, safe, and affordable intervention that can make a real difference in managing your autoimmune disease!

The Bottom Line:
If you have an autoimmune disease, Vitamin D is NOT optional - it's essential!
Action steps:
✓ Get your Vitamin D levels checked with your doctor
✓ Aim for levels of 25-30 ng/mL (or higher as recommended)
✓ Supplement as needed, especially in winter months
✓ Recheck your levels periodically to ensure you're in the optimal range
✓ Talk to your rheumatologist about the right dose for your specific situation
Don't overlook this simple but powerful tool in managing your autoimmune disease!

Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked? What were your results? Do you supplement? Share in the comments! 💬

04/21/2026

Gout Myth #1: High Uric Acid = Gout ❌🔬
There are many myths about the diagnosis and treatment of gout. Today, Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Tom Rennie busts the first major myth!

MYTH: If you have a high uric acid, you definitely have gout.
THE TRUTH: This is NOT true!
You Can Have High Uric Acid WITHOUT Having Gout
You can actually have a high uric acid level and NOT have gout. We call this asymptomatic hyperuricemia - which means your uric acid is elevated, but you have no symptoms of gout.
Many people walk around with high uric acid levels and never develop gout attacks. Just because your blood test shows elevated uric acid doesn't automatically mean you have gout!

The Reverse is Also True:
Interestingly, some people having an acute gout attack may actually have NORMAL uric acid levels at that moment! During a gout flare, uric acid can temporarily drop.

How Do We DEFINITIVELY Diagnose Gout?
Method 1: Joint Fluid Aspiration (The Gold Standard)
The only way to definitively diagnose gout is to stick a needle in the joint and pull out the fluid to see if there's actual uric acid crystals in the fluid.
Under a microscope, we look for needle-shaped monosodium urate crystals. These crystals are the definitive proof that you have gout - not just high uric acid in your blood, but actual crystals depositing in your joints.

Method 2: DECT Scan (Dual Energy CT Scan)
We can also get a dual energy CAT scan of the joint, or DECT scan.
What is a DECT scan?
The DECT scan is a regular CAT scan with special software that manipulates the images so you can actually see the gout crystals!
The technology uses two different X-ray energies and special computer processing to identify and highlight uric acid deposits. Everything that is GREEN in these images is gout!

Why DECT Scans Are Game-Changing:
With this relatively new technology, you no longer have to get stuck with a needle to prove that you have gout!
The DECT scan can:

Visualize gout deposits in joints and soft tissues
Detect tophi (large masses of uric acid crystals)
Show gout in locations that are difficult to aspirate
Monitor treatment effectiveness over time
Confirm diagnosis without invasive procedures

This is especially helpful for joints that are hard to get fluid from or for detecting gout deposits that aren't causing active symptoms yet.

The Bottom Line:
High Uric Acid ≠ Automatic Gout Diagnosis
To truly diagnose gout, you need:

Clinical symptoms (those painful, red, hot, swollen joint attacks)

PLUS

Proof of uric acid crystals - Either:

Joint fluid showing crystals under microscopy, OR
DECT scan showing gout deposits

Don't Jump to Conclusions!
If your doctor tells you that you have high uric acid on a blood test, don't panic and assume you have gout. Ask:

Do you have actual gout symptoms?
Has it been confirmed with joint aspiration or imaging?
Or is it just asymptomatic hyperuricemia?

The distinction matters because treatment approaches can be different!
Comment below: Have you been told you have high uric acid? Do you have actual gout symptoms, or is it asymptomatic? 💬

Check out our other videos on how we actually treat gout!
Also check out our website rheumthera.com to see how we might help you with your arthritis pain. Your relief starts now!

04/16/2026

When and How Do Rheumatologists Choose Which Biologic Is Right for You? 💊🎯

In our previous video, we explained what biologics are. Now Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Jane Ayala explains the decision-making process for choosing which biologic medication is best for each patient!

When Do We Consider Biologics?
When rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis remains active despite methotrexate and other traditional disease-modifying medications, we will discuss biologics with our patients.

If your current treatment plan isn't controlling your disease well enough, biologics might be the next step!

How Do We Choose Which Biologic?
Dr. Ayala's approach: "What I often do is I write down with the patient multiple options and pros and cons in order to decide which one is best for them."
This is KEY - it's a PARTNERSHIP decision between you and your rheumatologist, not just the doctor telling you what to take!

Factors We Consider Together:

1. Method of Administration
Home Injections:
Some biologics are injections that you can do at home (like Enbrel, Humira). These are convenient because you don't have to come to the office, but they require being comfortable with self-injection.
Office Infusions:
Others are infusions that you come to the office for (like Remicade, Rituxan, Orencia). No self-injection required, but you need to schedule office visits.

2. Where They Act in Your Immune System
Since biologics are targeted medications, we discuss where each one acts:

TNF inhibitors (Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Simponi) - Block tumor necrosis factor
IL-6 inhibitors (Actemra, Kevzara) - Block interleukin-6
T-cell blockers (Orencia) - Block T-cell activation
B-cell blockers (Rituxan) - Target B-cells
IL-17 inhibitors - Block interleukin-17
IL-23 inhibitors - Block interleukin-23

Each one targets a different part of your immune system, and some may work better for your specific situation than others!

3. Your Individual Medical Situation
We talk about:

Possible liver issues or concerns
Possible overlap syndromes (having multiple autoimmune conditions)
Other medications you're taking
Your lab results

4. Your Lifestyle and Preferences
Your lifestyle matters! Some patients prefer the convenience of home injections, while others prefer coming to the office for infusions. There's no wrong answer - it's about what works for YOU!

There's an Art and Partnership to This Decision!
As Dr. Ayala says: "There is an art and partnership in deciding which one is best for you."

Safety Monitoring:
Once you're on a biologic, we monitor:

Your Medicare or insurance coverage
Your other medications (to avoid interactions)
Your labs - liver function, sometimes cholesterol

The Good News About Safety:
They're overall very safe! Biologics have been studied for about 20 years now, so we have extensive safety data.
Infection Risk - Important to Discuss:
One thing Dr. Ayala always discusses is infection risk.
Because biologics suppress part of your immune system:

If you are sick, we STOP the medications - we let your body fight the infection
If you have been hospitalized, we want to know about it so we can adjust your treatment

The Results:
Most patients do very well on biologics! They control the disease within about 3 to 6 months.
And if it doesn't work? We change them. There are multiple biologic options, so if one doesn't work, we try another!
The Frustrating Reality: Insurance Challenges
Here's the part that frustrates both doctors and patients:
"Sometimes the insurance has another plan and decides by themselves which one is best for you."
Even though Dr. Ayala has practiced medicine for 20 years and trained for 12 years, sometimes it comes down to the insurance company deciding what you can take - not medical expertise or what's truly best for the patient.

But We Fight Back!
"That's when we ask the patients to fight. And we also fight with prior authorizations and peer-to-peer reviews."
Dr. Ayala doesn't just accept insurance denials - she advocates for her patients through:

Prior authorization appeals
Peer-to-peer reviews (where she talks directly to insurance company doctors)
Fighting for the medication that's truly best for YOU

The Bottom Line:
Choosing a biologic is a collaborative process between you and your rheumatologist. We consider:
✓ How the medication is administered (injection vs. infusion)
✓ Where it acts in your immune system
✓ Your specific medical situation and other conditions
✓ Your lifestyle and preferences
✓ Safety profile and monitoring requirements
✓ Insurance coverage (and we fight when needed!)
As Dr. Ayala says: "Anyway, there's a whole art to this."
It's part science, part art, part partnership with the patient, and sometimes part fighting with insurance companies - but the goal is always finding the right biologic to get your autoimmune disease under control!
Comment below: Which biologic have you tried? What's been your experience with the process of getting approved and starting treatment? 💬

Visit our website rheumthera.com to learn more. Your relief starts now!

04/07/2026

04/03/2026

What is Biologics? Everything You Need to Know! 💊🔬

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, or another autoimmune disease, you've probably heard about biologics. But what exactly ARE they, and how do they work?
Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Jane Ayala explains!

What Are Biologics?
Biologics are a class of medications that target very SPECIFIC parts of your immune system - unlike traditional immunosuppressant medications that affect your entire immune system more broadly.
Think of it like this:

Traditional medications = using a sledgehammer - affects many immune pathways at once
Biologics = using a laser - targets specific proteins or cells causing the problem

How Do Biologics Work?
In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues, causing inflammation and damage. Biologics work by targeting specific proteins or cells in your immune system that are driving this inflammation.
Common Types of Biologics:
TNF Inhibitors (Tumor Necrosis Factor Blockers)

Enbrel
Humira
Remicade
Cimzia
Simponi

TNF is a protein that causes inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. These medications block TNF from doing its damage.
IL-6 Inhibitors (Interleukin-6 Blockers)

Actemra
Kevzara

IL-6 is another inflammatory protein. These medications block its action.
T-Cell Blockers

Orencia

These block the activation of T-cells - immune cells that play a major role in autoimmune attacks.
B-Cell Blockers

Rituxan

These target B-cells, which produce antibodies. In autoimmune diseases, these antibodies can attack your own tissues.

And Many Others:

IL-17 inhibitors
IL-23 inhibitors
JAK inhibitors (technically small molecule drugs, but work similarly by targeting specific immune pathways)

How Are Biologics Given?
Biologics come in different forms:
Injections - Some can be self-administered at home (like Enbrel, Humira). You might inject them weekly, every two weeks, or monthly depending on the medication.
Infusions - Others are given intravenously at a doctor's office or infusion center (like Remicade, Rituxan, Orencia). These might be given every few weeks or months.
Why Are Biologics So Important?
For people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases who haven't responded well to traditional medications like methotrexate or sulfasalazine, biologics can be absolutely LIFE-CHANGING!

Benefits include:

Stopping or slowing disease progression
Preventing permanent joint damage
Significantly reducing inflammation and pain
Improving physical function and quality of life
Allowing people to return to normal activities
Important Considerations:
Because biologics affect your immune system (even though they're targeted), there are some things to be aware of:

Infection risk - Since biologics suppress part of your immune system, there's an increased risk of infections. Your doctor will monitor you closely.
Regular monitoring - You'll need regular appointments and lab work to check for any side effects.
Screening - Before starting biologics, you'll be screened for tuberculosis and hepatitis.

The Good News:
For the vast majority of patients, the benefits of biologics FAR outweigh the risks. Many people on biologics experience dramatic improvements in their symptoms and can live much more normal lives.

The Bottom Line:
Biologics are TARGETED medications that focus on specific parts of your immune system that are causing autoimmune disease - they're not broad immunosuppressants that shut down your entire immune system.
They've revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and many other autoimmune conditions, offering hope and relief to millions of patients who previously had limited options!
Have you tried biologics? What's been your experience? Share in the comments! 💬

Visit rheumthera.com to learn more about managing autoimmune disease and arthritis pain. Your relief starts now!

03/31/2026

Part 3 Rheumatologists Rate Pain Creams: Which Ones Actually Work? 💊🔬

Board Certified Rheumatologists Dr. Jane Ayala and Dr. Tom Rennie review and rate the most popular pain creams on the market - and reveal their own creation!

ICY HOT (Roll-on & Cream) - 3/10
Tom gives it just 3 out of 10. Why? It's just menthol - so it covers the pain but doesn't treat the underlying issue.

ICY HOT PATCHES - 5/10
The patches get a slightly better rating (5 out of 10) because the big patch helps with back pain a little more, even though it's still just menthol.

ASPERCREME - 7/10
Now we're getting somewhere! Aspercreme contains trolamine salicylate - a mild anti-inflammatory. Tom gives it 7 out of 10 because:

It helps with pain
It does decrease inflammation a little bit
It has NO smell - perfect for people sensitive to scents!

VOLTAREN GEL (Diclofenac 1%) - 8/10
Both doctors give this an 8 out of 10! Why?

It actually helps with inflammation
It's been studied specifically for arthritis in knees
Now available over-the-counter for easy access

ARNICARE - 5/10
Arnicare is basically Arnica, which is a natural product. For people who don't want to use medications, Arnica is a good choice - but it doesn't work that well. Jane gives it 5 out of 10.

BIOFREEZE - 2/10
Jane personally doesn't like Biofreeze because it's just menthol - and there's a lot of it! She gives it only 2 out of 10.

TIGER BALM - 5/10
Tiger Balm has camphor AND menthol - at least two ingredients, so it's a little bit better! It's a bit oily, and the camphor is supposed to help a little bit more with the underlying issue. Jane gives it 5 out of 10.

SALONPAS PATCHES - 8/10
One of Jane's favorites! There are two types:

Lidocaine 4% patch - just numbing the pain, doesn't address underlying issue
Multi-ingredient patch (methyl salicylate + menthol) - This is the one Jane likes most!

Why she likes the multi-ingredient version:

Has multiple ingredients working together
Comes in different sizes - small ones for elbows, large ones for back
Can use for longer periods of time

Downside: It doesn't stick well, so if you're exercising and put a patch on, it comes off.
Jane gives it 8 out of 10!

RHEUM RELIEF - 10/10 (and 11/10!)
Full disclosure - they're biased because they created Rheum Relief! But here's why they love it:
What's in it:

Menthol 1%
Methyl salicylate 0.6%
Lidocaine 4%
CBD 6000mg
Essential oils (frankincense, arnica)
Terpenes from the CBD plant
0% THC

Why it works:

Multi-ingredient formula - they all work together
Studies show these essential oils help with pain AND inflammation
Doesn't affect your kidneys and liver like some medications
They use it all the time!

Jane gives it 10 out of 10. Tom gives it 11 out of 10!
The Key Takeaway:
The best pain creams have MULTIPLE active ingredients that work together to address both pain AND the underlying inflammation - not just mask symptoms with menthol alone!

What pain cream do you use? Has it been effective? Comment below! 💬

Want to try a discount code? Comment "pain cream" below!

Check out our website rheumthera.com to learn more. Your relief starts now!

03/31/2026

Part 2 Rheumatologists Rate Pain Creams: Which Ones Actually Work? 💊🔬

Board Certified Rheumatologists Dr. Jane Ayala and Dr. Tom Rennie review and rate the most popular pain creams on the market - and reveal their own creation!

ICY HOT (Roll-on & Cream) - 3/10
Tom gives it just 3 out of 10. Why? It's just menthol - so it covers the pain but doesn't treat the underlying issue.

ICY HOT PATCHES - 5/10
The patches get a slightly better rating (5 out of 10) because the big patch helps with back pain a little more, even though it's still just menthol.

ASPERCREME - 7/10
Now we're getting somewhere! Aspercreme contains trolamine salicylate - a mild anti-inflammatory. Tom gives it 7 out of 10 because:

It helps with pain
It does decrease inflammation a little bit
It has NO smell - perfect for people sensitive to scents!

VOLTAREN GEL (Diclofenac 1%) - 8/10
Both doctors give this an 8 out of 10! Why?

It actually helps with inflammation
It's been studied specifically for arthritis in knees
Now available over-the-counter for easy access

ARNICARE - 5/10
Arnicare is basically Arnica, which is a natural product. For people who don't want to use medications, Arnica is a good choice - but it doesn't work that well. Jane gives it 5 out of 10.

BIOFREEZE - 2/10
Jane personally doesn't like Biofreeze because it's just menthol - and there's a lot of it! She gives it only 2 out of 10.

TIGER BALM - 5/10
Tiger Balm has camphor AND menthol - at least two ingredients, so it's a little bit better! It's a bit oily, and the camphor is supposed to help a little bit more with the underlying issue. Jane gives it 5 out of 10.

SALONPAS PATCHES - 8/10
One of Jane's favorites! There are two types:

Lidocaine 4% patch - just numbing the pain, doesn't address underlying issue
Multi-ingredient patch (methyl salicylate + menthol) - This is the one Jane likes most!

Why she likes the multi-ingredient version:

Has multiple ingredients working together
Comes in different sizes - small ones for elbows, large ones for back
Can use for longer periods of time

Downside: It doesn't stick well, so if you're exercising and put a patch on, it comes off.
Jane gives it 8 out of 10!

RHEUM RELIEF - 10/10 (and 11/10!)
Full disclosure - they're biased because they created Rheum Relief! But here's why they love it:
What's in it:

Menthol 1%
Methyl salicylate 0.6%
Lidocaine 4%
CBD 6000mg
Essential oils (frankincense, arnica)
Terpenes from the CBD plant
0% THC

Why it works:

Multi-ingredient formula - they all work together
Studies show these essential oils help with pain AND inflammation
Doesn't affect your kidneys and liver like some medications
They use it all the time!

Jane gives it 10 out of 10. Tom gives it 11 out of 10!
The Key Takeaway:
The best pain creams have MULTIPLE active ingredients that work together to address both pain AND the underlying inflammation - not just mask symptoms with menthol alone!

What pain cream do you use? Has it been effective? Comment below! 💬

Want to try a discount code? Comment "pain cream" below!

Check out our website rheumthera.com to learn more. Your relief starts now!