Coastal Rheumatology Associates

10/10/2025

October 10 is World Mental Health Day — a time to reflect, raise awareness, and extend care beyond the physical symptoms of chronic illness. Living with a rheumatic condition often involves more than meets the eye. At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we understand that emotional wellbeing plays a powerful role in managing long-term health. We encourage every patient, caregiver, and community member to prioritize mental health, share their story, and reach out for support. You’re not alone.

10/09/2025

Please join us in recognizing the exceptional PA team at our Savannah office—Elizabeth Antoon, Vanessa Thomas, and Trevor Brown.

Each of you plays a vital role in delivering expert, compassionate care to our patients. Your dedication, clinical insight, and patient-first mindset help make Coastal Rheumatology Associates a place where people feel truly cared for.

We’re proud to work alongside such skilled professionals. Thank you for everything you do!

𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴

10/03/2025

No one should face arthritis alone. Thanks to this wonderful resource, support is available in English and Spanish.

Need help managing arthritis? Our Helpline experts are here for you — in English and in Spanish! 💚

Whether you have questions about treatment, daily living, or resources, our Spanish-speaking Helpline specialist is ready to support you.

📞 Call the Helpline today: 1-800-283-7800.

09/30/2025

As Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month comes to a close, remember: you don’t have to navigate exercise and movement on your own.

Get personalized support by working with your rheumatologist, physical therapist (PT), or occupational therapist (OT) to develop a safe, tailored plan that fits your lifestyle. Ask about options like aquatic therapy or adaptive exercises designed to reduce strain and build confidence.

🌊 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝟔𝟎+: Free water aerobics classes are available at the Aquatic Center off Eisenhower (on Sally Mood). Patients will first need to go to the Lake Mayer office to obtain a wristband, then head across the road to the Aquatic Center. St. Joseph’s/Candler (SJC) also offers water aerobics classes.

💪 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬: Programs like SilverSneakers, YMCA classes, and local wellness centers often offer safe, joint-friendly activities.

Every patient’s journey is unique — the right plan can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term health. Awareness Month may be ending, but your journey toward better movement continues 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮.

💬 Have you ever worked with a PT, OT, or joined a class that helped you feel stronger? Share your experience in the comments!

09/29/2025

Long hours of sitting can make joint pain and stiffness worse — but the good news is that even small breaks can make a 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.

⏱️ Aim to stand, stretch, or take a short walk every 30–60 minutes
🪑 Try gentle chair stretches or desk yoga if you’re at work
🚶‍♀️ Take phone calls while standing or walking
💧 Use water breaks as a reminder to move

Breaking up long periods of sitting helps improve circulation, keeps joints flexible, and supports overall mobility. Movement doesn’t have to be big to be beneficial — 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘥 𝘶𝘱!

💬 What’s your go-to quick “movement break”? Share in the comments to inspire others!

09/25/2025

Looking for safe ways to stay active with arthritis or another rheumatic condition? Low-impact activities are joint-friendly, easy to start, and highly effective for improving mobility and reducing pain.

Here are some great options to try:
✨ 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 – simple, social, and flexible for any fitness level
✨𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐬 – buoyancy reduces strain on joints
✨ 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐢 𝐜𝐡𝐢– gentle movements improve balance and flexibility
✨ 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 – builds endurance while being easier on the knees and hips

These activities help reduce stiffness, build strength, and support heart health — all without putting added pressure on your joints.

💡 𝙏𝙞𝙥: Start small and be consistent. Even 10–15 minutes a day can make a big difference over time.

💬 Which of these activities have you tried? Do you have a favorite way to keep moving?

09/23/2025

🚫 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡: If you have arthritis, you should avoid exercise because it will make joint pain worse.
✅ 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: The opposite is true. Regular low-impact movement is one of the best things you can do for arthritis.

Exercise helps reduce stiffness, improves flexibility, builds muscle strength to support your joints, and can even cut pain levels by up to 40%. It also boosts mood and protects heart health — an especially important benefit for people with rheumatoid arthritis, who are at higher cardiovascular risk.

The key is choosing activities that are joint-friendly and enjoyable:
✨ Walking or light cycling
✨ Swimming or water aerobics
✨ Yoga, Pilates, or tai chi
✨ Gentle stretching or resistance bands

Movement doesn’t have to be intense — small, consistent steps can lead to meaningful improvements in daily function and quality of life.

09/19/2025

September is 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 — and this year, the American College of Rheumatology is spotlighting the power of movement through its RheumMoves campaign.

Rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, and gout affect millions. Research shows that regular low-impact exercise can reduce pain by up to 40% and improve daily function, mood, and heart health.

Follow along as we share simple, safe ways to get moving this month. 💙

💬 What’s your favorite way to stay active — walking, yoga, swimming, or something else? Tell us in the comments!

09/11/2025

On this solemn day, we remember those we lost on September 11 and honor the heroes who answered the call. Their legacy reminds us of the power of unity, resilience, and compassion in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

09/05/2025

Weekend Rx: Fresh Air + Sunshine + Water Views

Spending time outside isn’t just enjoyable—it’s healing. Sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D, which supports bone health and immune function. Research also shows that simply 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 can lower stress, boost mood, and calm the nervous system.

Whether you're near the coast, a lake, or a quiet backyard, take time this weekend to unplug and recharge.

09/03/2025

September is Pain Awareness Month, and we’re supporting the national effort to shorten the time it takes to diagnose spondyloarthritis (SpA)—a group of inflammatory autoimmune conditions that affect the spine, joints, and the places where tendons and ligaments attach to bone (entheses).

Without early recognition, many patients live with chronic, progressive pain for years.

Common early signs of SpA include:
▪️Ongoing lower back pain
▪️Morning stiffness or stiffness after inactivity
▪️Relief with movement or exercise

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward getting the right care.

🔗 Learn more

Spondylitis Association of America

09/01/2025

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day from all of us at Coastal Rheumatology Associates. Today we celebrate the strength, dedication, and hard work that keep our communities moving forward. Whether you are spending the day resting or with loved ones, we hope it brings you peace and renewal.