Attending to the Health of Your Joints

In order to be in optimal shape for both exercise and fitness, it’s helpful to have healthy joints. We at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, a two-physician practice at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, in Cordova, TN, dedicated to just that: helping people maintain healthy skin and healthy joints to promote an active lifestyle.

Our Board-certied Rheumatologist is Dr. Cathy Chapman, who completed her training in arthritis at Strong Memorial Hospital, at the University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York, in 1991.

Rheumatology itself is the study of conditions of the connective tissues of the body – focusing particularly upon the joints – but also covering the tendons and ligaments. It’s essential for such tissues of the body to remain healthy for people to be able to exercise freely – which also benefits many other organs within the body, including the heart, the lungs, even the brain – to help you sleep better. The Tennessee Department of Health (BRSS Fact Sheet) tells us that 67 million Americans are expected to suffer from arthritis (inflammation in the joints) by 2030. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. And there are over 300 types of arthritis, the most common types being osteoarthritis (seen with aging and wear and tear on the joints), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

Rheumatology is all about promoting our ability to move and enjoy life. So if you or a family member is experiencing pain or swelling in joints, the good news is that effective, early diagnosis and management can often avoid permanent damage to the joints.

Cathy Chapman M.D. is a board-certified Rheumatologist with 26 years of experience. She is originally from Syracuse, New York, having graduated college with a BS in Biochemistry from the State University of New York, in Binghamton, then having attended medical school at the University of Chicago. Dr. Chapman then completed a three-year internal medicine residency, at Michael Reese Medical Center, in Chicago, Illinois, and then a two-year fellowship in rheumatology, at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, New York. She is experienced in the evaluation and treatment of connective tissue conditions.

Dr. George Woodbury and Dr. Cathy Chapman have practiced together - as Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates PC - since 1993 - making this combined clinic one of the oldest combined rheumatology and dermatology clinics in the United States, currently entering its twenty-sixth year.

Medical Assistant Shirley demonstrates how we work with patients using bloodwork and other laboratory tests - to get a more detailed picture of how they are doing with their treatment. In fact, Dr. Chapman uses the patient history and physical exam, as well as lab tests including bloodwork, X-rays, and joint ultrasound to determine which of these type of arthritis may be affecting your ability to exercise and function. She has been a fellow (member) of the American College of Rheumatology since 1993. She is also an active supporter of the Arthritis Foundation, which promotes arthritis research.

June 2nd, 2018, 2016, Dr. Chapman participated in the Walk to Cure Arthritis, with Dr. George Woodbury Jr., and Rheumatology and Dermatology staff, to help promote funding for arthritis this organization, in the Redbirds Ballpark, Memphis TN.

In 2018, Dr. Chapman has a growing number of effective therapies for many types of arthritis, which are given as pills, as injections, and as intravenous therapies. In fact, Monday September 17th, 2018, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Dr. Chapman will be participating in the Living Your Yes with RA presentation, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Main Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN, sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. All are welcome, but registration is encouraged on-line:

http://www.arthritis.org/livingyouryes Topics to be covered include strategies to turn one's life around if suffering from arthritis: * setting personal goals; * communicating better with your healthcare providers; * ways to get optimal treatments, and * tools and support.

After all, Rheumatologists spend their days working on keeping people functional, both at home and at work. Being functional means being able to move, to exercise, and to enjoy life.

So welcome to Rheumatology and Dermatology PC, as we enter our 26th year in Memphis. If you, a family member, or friend need an evaluation, contact us at either Info@rheumderm.com, or 1-901-753-0168. We look forward to working with you and your family members.

Cathy M. Chapman M.D. and George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (09/08/2018)