Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2026

40 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

• Ophthalmologist. A physician who diagnoses and treats eye diseases and performs surgery on the eyes, 27 and can treat RA patients with complications that affect vision. • Pulmonologist. A physician who diagnoses and treats diseases and conditions of the respiratory system, 28 and can also treat RA patients experiencing complications that affect breathing. • Nephrologist. A physician who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the kidneys, including damage to kidney function caused by RA. 29 • Respiratory therapist. A certified medical professional—not a doctor—who treats lung and breathing conditions, often under the supervision of a pulmonologist. 30 Respiratory therapists can assist RA patients who have complications that affect breathing. • Physical therapist (PT). A licensed medical professional who diagnoses and treats patients with difficulties or injuries that limit the ability to move or otherwise function day-to-day. PTs create individual recovery plans that may reduce the need for surgery or prescribed medications, and combine exercises, stretches, hands-on techniques and equipment to restore function and relieve pain. 31 • Occupational therapist (OT). A licensed medical professional who helps people find ways to do daily activities they need or want to do. OTs work to adapt a patient’s surroundings and help them manage independence in the face of disabilities, injuries or illnesses such as RA. 32 Diagnosing RA It can be difficult to diagnose RA in its early stages because: • RA develops over time, with only a few symptoms that may be present early on • No single, definitive lab test exists for RA • Symptoms differ from person to person, and can be similar to those of other types of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, making RA sometimes difficult to diagnose. A variety of tools and tests are typically used

to diagnose RA and to rule out other conditions. They include: 33 Medical history. Investigation of symptoms onset; symptom progression and limitations imposed; assessment of other health conditions, medications and treatments; exploration of family history of RA or other autoimmune diseases. Physical examination. Visual and other assessments of joint enlargement, joint range of-motion; posture, gait, balance; evidence of rash, nodules; chest sounds (for fluid or other inflammation signs). Lab tests. Tests are an important diagnostic tool, though be mindful that results of the following tests can be within normal range even for people who in fact have RA: 1. Rheumatoid factor (RF) Checks for an antibody (protein) that many people with active RA have in their blood. Not all people with RA test positive for RF, some people test positive for RF but never develop the disease and some people test positive but have another disease. RF test results, however, along with other test results and evaluations, can help to diagnose RA. 2. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP): Checks for anti-CCP antibodies, which appear in many people with RA. In addition, anti-CCP can appear before RA symptoms develop, which can help doctors diagnose the disease early. 3. Complete blood count: Measures different blood cell counts and can help diagnose anemia, which is common in people with RA. 4. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (often called the sed rate); C-reactive protein: Measure inflammation markers (also monitors disease activity and response to treatments following diagnosis). 5. Additional blood tests: Check kidney function, electrolytes, liver function, thyroid function, muscle markers, other autoimmune markers, and markers of infection to evaluate for other diagnoses. 6. ANA test: Looks for antinuclear antibodies (antibodies that target “normal” proteins in a cell’s nucleus); a high level of

Rheumatoid factor (RF): checks for an antibody (protein) that

many people with active RA have in their blood.

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