Presented by Marzouq A Qubti, MD MBA, Gifford Rheumatologist
As any primary care provider will tell you, back and musculoskeletal pain are among the most common reasons patients come in for a visit. Speaking as someone who has practiced both primary care and internal medicine, I can confidently say that primary care physicians do an excellent job managing these conditions.
However, there are times when the root cause of a patient’s pain—or how best to relieve it—isn’t immediately clear. When this happens, a team-based approach is often needed. That might include referrals to spine specialists, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons—and, in some cases, a rheumatologist.
What does a Rheumatologist do?
Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and immune system. We’re trained in both internal medicine and rheumatology, which gives us a unique ability to take a comprehensive look at what might be going on in the body.
Our first job is to find the cause of your symptoms. Often, this means ruling out systemic or autoimmune conditions, problems that can affect multiple parts of the body at once. If we determine that the issue lies outside our specialty, say, something related to hormones, digestion, or the heart, we’ll help you get to the right specialist directly, often without needing to go back through your primary care provider.
If your condition turns out to be autoimmune in nature, meaning your immune system is mistakenly attacking your own body, we can begin treatment right away. And if your pain is coming from a specific area and is mechanical or inflammatory, we offer targeted treatments like anti-inflammatories, nerve pain medications, injections, and, when needed, referrals for surgery.
Why see a Rheumatologist?
The real value of seeing a rheumatologist lies in our ability to pinpoint the cause of your pain. We’re trained to distinguish between different types of pain—whether it’s due to inflammation, autoimmunity, mechanical strain, or nerve sensitivity—and then choose the right treatment path. Our goal is not to simply mask your pain, but to understand it and treat it effectively.
What conditions do Rheumatologists treat?
Some of the most well-known conditions we treat include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
But we also care for patients with less familiar yet equally impactful conditions, such as:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendon, joint, or muscle injuries that cause localized pain
We can often treat these without surgery, similar to what you might find in a sports medicine or urgent care clinic.
Finally, rheumatologists manage complex autoimmune diseases like:
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
A thoughtful approach to pain
Pain is often complicated and can come from many different sources at once. But in my experience, when patients understand the true source of their pain, it brings not only physical relief, but peace of mind. That understanding, paired with the right treatment, can make all the difference.
Dr. Marz Qubti joined Gifford in 2022. He sees patients at Gifford Health Center at Berlin, 82 East View Lane, Berlin and Gifford Medical Center, 44 South Main Street. To schedule an appointment please call (802) 728-2430.
