Dr. Joan Kathryn Kowalec M.D.

Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic muscle pain that lacks an obvious physical cause, it is also thought to be a genetic issue. Massages are a powerful and relaxing tool that help relieve muscular tension. Therapists skilled in the art of massaging apply various types of massages to...

Over 40 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or related forms of arthritis. That’s one in eight people in America alone who have arthritis, and this number has increased by about 40 percent within the last 10 years.Arthritis (or inflammation of the joints) may be one...

As with any chronic disease, patients with arthritis are often taking many medications at once to manage their condition. These medications can of course interact with one another, so being cautious and talking with a provider before taking anything new is always important. What about vaccinations?...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that affects approximately 3 to 9 million American adults. The symptoms of fibro include painful, tender joints and awful body pain. These tender joints are sensitive to pressure in fibromyalgia patients. The healthcare community doesn't fully understand what...

Summer means a lot of fun yet a lot of sun. For families with kids, summer is always the best time to go on trips and vacations. But for people with lupus, summer can mean more pain and discomfort. Fortunately, you can keep lupus at bay while traveling. Enjoying summer with lupus is entirely within...

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...