Dr. Michael Thomas Barger M.D.

The impact of alcohol on health is widely debated, and now many want to know how these questions are altered in regards to rheumatoid arthritis.Is drinking with RA a problem?We've all heard from a young age that everything in moderation is fine - even drinking. Some even go as far to say that it can...

Jordan Elizabeth Henegar, crowned Miss Teen Tennessee US, was diagnosed with JRA at 15 months.Her mother, Sheri Henager, realized that something was wrong when her daughter stopped walking. Today, Jordan is a senior at Oak Ridge High School, a cheerleader at her school, and a member of the Oak Ridge...

The main characteristics of fibromyalgia are the constant and chronic pain, and unrelenting fatigue. However, the pain is of a kind far beyond regular aching like the one caused by the flu. As a matter of fact, initially the symptoms may seem just like a common cold. When the disease progresses, the...

Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body. It also causes tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, pain can be managed.Massage is considered effective and beneficial in managing pain caused by fibromyalgia.About 5 million Americans...

Fibromyalgia can cause a wide variety of symptoms, which include persistent and excessive pain and fatigue, to depression, anxiety and other psychological symptoms. However, when it comes to chronic illnesses like this one, an unexpected side-effect is the detachment from friendships because of a...

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, then you have some important treatment decisions to make along with your healthcare team and immediate family. There are a number of traditional and holistic treatment options available to you, and it’s beneficial to explore these...