The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially those with active disease who often have poorer quality of life and…
This article reviews the existing literature on using yoga for arthritis. It includes peer-reviewed research from clinical trials (published from 1980 to 2010) that used yoga as an intervention for…
Tai chi is a complex multicomponent mind-body exercise. Many studies have provided evidence that tai chi benefits patients with a variety of chronic disorders. This form of mind-body exercise enhances…
By definition, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attempts to diagnose and treat illnesses in unconventional ways. CAM has been classified as: (1) alternative medical systems (eg, traditional Chinese medicine [including…
Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments are considered nonmainstream therapies. The popularity and widespread usage of CAM reflects the inadequacies of the current understanding and management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal…
This review introduces/refreshes some basic histopathologic methods and findings of skeletal muscle biopsies with emphasis on those diseases commonly encountered in a rheumatologist’s practice. The 3 general areas of myopathology…
Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) constitute a group of phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disorders, characterized by (progressive) weakness and atrophy of proximal and/or distal muscles. The objective of molecular testing is to…
Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are the primary electrodiagnostic studies employed in the evaluation of patients with weakness and suspected myopathy. This article discusses the physiologic principles that serve as…
The rheumatologist is frequently called on to evaluate patients with complaints of myalgia, muscle cramps, and fatigue. The evaluation of these patients presents a diagnostic challenge given the nonspecific and…
Various diagnostic imaging techniques such as sonography, computed tomography, scintigraphy, radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made possible the noninvasive evaluation of skeletal muscle injury and disease. Although these…
