Unabridgedmd

Directions Website Contact the practice

Unabridgedmd Where western medicine meets Eastern medicine. Hope driven by science.
--
Website: www.UnabridgedMD.com

What if there’s more to the story than we’ve been looking at?I’m excited to sit down with Dr. Anna Lafian, an integrativ...
10/16/2026

What if there’s more to the story than we’ve been looking at?

I’m excited to sit down with Dr. Anna Lafian, an integrative rheumatologist, for a thoughtful conversation about modern rheumatology, whole-person care, and how looking at the bigger picture might change the way we approach healing. 💛

I love conversations that challenge us to think differently, ask better questions, and stay curious about what’s possible for our patients. I think this will be a really meaningful one, and I’d love for you to be part of it!

This will also be our Rheum 101, originally scheduled for 11:00 AM, now moved to 1:15 PM MT.

🗓 October 20, 2026
⏰ 1:15 PM MT
📍 Streaming on all our social media accounts

Bring your curiosity and come join us! We can’t wait to see you there. 💜

Looking back at my TEDx talk, I feel grateful for the opportunity to share a perspective that means so much to me as a r...
10/15/2026

Looking back at my TEDx talk, I feel grateful for the opportunity to share a perspective that means so much to me as a rheumatologist. 🤍

We often talk about chronic illness as a battle, fighting rheumatoid arthritis, battling inflammation, or waging war against our own bodies.
But what if we approached healing a little differently?

Our words influence how we think and feel about our health. And while strength and resilience are important, I believe we can pursue better health without feeling like we’re constantly at war with ourselves.

As a rheumatologist and researcher, I’m passionate about bringing science, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the human experience into medicine. Because treating a disease is important, but so is understanding the person living with it.

That’s one of the ideas I wanted to share through my TEDx talk, and it remains something I think about in my work every day.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to share this message beyond the clinic, and I hope it encourages more thoughtful conversations about chronic illness, healing, and the way we care for ourselves. 💛

PatientCenteredCare Inflammation HealingJourney DirectCareMedicine

10/14/2026

Remission is more than finding the right medication. It’s understanding the journey, too. ❤️

I want my patients to understand why we choose a treatment, how it works, and what to expect along the way.

Because treatment isn’t always as simple as taking a medication and immediately feeling better. Some medications need time to work. Some may not be the right fit, and that’s important for us to know so we can adjust the plan together.

And just as importantly, I want my patients to feel comfortable sharing their fears and concerns. You should never feel that you have to navigate those feelings alone.

Your path to remission is personal. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s why understanding, trust, and open communication matter so much.

You deserve to feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions we make together. There is room for your questions, your concerns, and your hopes. ❤️

💬 What’s one thing you wish you had understood better about your treatment journey? I’d love to hear from you.

PatientEducation UnabridgedMD

10/13/2026

Sometimes, what you need most from your doctor is time. 💛 Time to ask questions, understand your options, and feel reassured about your care.

But when insurance companies shape how medicine is practiced, patients can lose that time.

I believe doctors should have the independence to put patients first. That’s one of the reasons I believe in direct care.

Healthcare should work for patients, not just the system. 🤍

What do you wish you had more time to discuss with your doctor?

10/13/2026

Vagus nerve stimulation may support your body's response to stress. Learn how it impacts sleep quality and inflammation.

Many people search for ways to improve their overall health, but the connection between the nervous system and chronic conditions is often overlooked. I have been researching the effects of various devices designed for vagus nerve stimulation and how they might assist with daily stress management. This discussion focuses on the evidence behind these tools and what they could mean for your routine.

When we look at potential benefits for inflammation reduction, it is important to consider the underlying science. I share my experience with different devices and look at the research regarding their effectiveness for sleep quality. My goal is to provide a balanced perspective so you can make informed decisions about your health journey.

10/12/2026

One of the most unexpected lessons I’ve learned from my patients is that sometimes, a change in perspective can open a door we didn’t even know was there. 💛

I don’t believe we need to be grateful for illness or pretend that chronic pain and difficult days are easy. Rheumatoid arthritis can take a real toll on someone’s life, and finding the right treatment matters deeply.

But I also believe our diagnosis doesn’t have to define our entire story.
Sometimes, even in the middle of something difficult, we can discover strength, meaning, or a new perspective we never expected.

We can’t always choose what life brings our way. But with the right support, we can keep looking for ways forward. And sometimes, that can change more than we imagined. 🤍

PatientStories MindsetAndHealth ChronicDiseaseSupport HopeAndHealing

10/09/2026

One of the most meaningful things a patient can tell you is that they finally feel like themselves again. 💛

When Ana first came to see me, she had been dealing with pain and trying to make sense of what was happening in her body. What she needed wasn’t just another appointment. She needed someone willing to listen to the details, look at the whole picture, and consider that the answer might be different from what she’d been told before.

Together with our team, we took the time to look deeper and work toward understanding what was really going on.

And now, she’s finding her way back to the things she loves boxing, dancing, taking long walks, and playing with her son.

Her journey is such a beautiful reminder that good rheumatology care isn’t just about identifying a condition. It’s about understanding the person living with it and helping them move toward a better quality of life.

I’m so grateful she shared her experience with us. Stories like hers remind me why I believe patients deserve time, thoughtful investigation, and care that sees beyond a diagnosis. 🤍

If you’re living with joint pain, inflammation, or unanswered questions about your symptoms, I’m a rheumatologist accepting new patients at UnabridgedMD. We’d be happy to help you explore your next steps.

You deserve to feel heard, too. 💛

10/08/2026

I think “mind-body connection” is an incredibly important conversation but it’s one we have to be careful with. 🤍

There’s a big difference between recognizing that our brain, nervous system, and body are connected and telling someone that they somehow created their illness.

I don’t believe in blaming people for their disease.

Genetics matter. Environment matters. Biology matters. There are so many pieces that come together to shape our health.

At the same time, understanding the connection between the brain and the body can give us another way to understand what we’re experiencing and another place to support our health.

It doesn’t have to be either/or.

We can acknowledge the mind-body connection without turning it into guilt.

And I think that distinction matters so much, especially for people who have already spent years wondering if their symptoms are somehow their fault.

They’re not.

10/07/2026

Living with arthritis has taught Ana Dodson, one of my patients and a psychologist, to be gentler with herself.

When your body can’t always do what it used to, it’s easy to become your own biggest critic:
Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I keep up?

Ana calls that inner critic a “boo-leader.” Instead, she’s learning to be her own cheerleader: to give herself grace, positive pep talks, and hope.
Sometimes, being kind to yourself is part of the journey, too. ❤️

As a rheumatologist, these are the conversations I value just as much as the medical ones. Because caring for your health is about understanding the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

If you’ve been wondering whether rheumatology care might be right for you, our team offers a free 15-minute consultation to help you learn more about your options. 💛

What would you say to yourself today if you were being a little gentler?

10/06/2026

“If you have dysautonomia, just exercise more.”

It sounds simple. But for someone living with POTS or dysautonomia, it can be anything but simple.

When your symptoms get worse with overstimulation and activity, pushing harder can sometimes leave you feeling even worse. And when you repeatedly feel terrible after exercise, it makes complete sense that you eventually stop wanting to do it.

Then deconditioning can become part of the picture.

But that doesn’t mean deconditioning was the reason everything started in the first place.

This is why I think it’s so important to look at the whole story, not just one piece of it.

If someone with POTS is struggling to exercise, we have to ask why before simply telling them to do more.

Good care starts with listening to what the body is telling us. 🤍

If you live with POTS or dysautonomia, has exercise ever made your symptoms feel worse?

Address

Denver, CO

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Unabridgedmd posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Unabridgedmd:

Shortcuts

Share