What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5am Tuesday 8am - 5am Wednesday 8am - 5am Thursday 8am - 5am Friday 8am - 5am Saturday 8am - 5am Sunday 8am - 5am

Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee, DO, FACR

Home
United States
Pasadena, CA
Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee, DO, FACR

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee, DO, FACR, Rheumatologist, 800 Fairmount Avenue Suite 210, Pasadena, CA.

✨University of Pennsylvania trained
💚 Board-Certified Rheumatologist
🌸 Direct Care Rheumatology
🌿 Mother of 3 👧 ❤️👦 ❤️👧

Subscribe for our free newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/drrmichellekoolaee/subscribe

12/24/2025

Do you or someone you know live with ongoing joint pain and wonder if it is just part of getting older?

In my latest blog, “Is My Joint Pain Just Part of Aging?”, I break down how to tell the difference between normal aches and warning signs you should not ignore.

Joint pain is common, but persistent or inflammatory pain is not normal aging. Catching concerning symptoms early can help prevent long-term joint damage and protect your quality of life.

I walk you through:
✔ How to tell normal aches from concerning joint pain
✔ Key red flags that suggest inflammation or autoimmune disease
✔ The difference between osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis
✔ When it is time to see a rheumatologist

💛 This content is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about your health, medications, or treatment options. 💛

12/11/2025

The fluid from a diagnostic joint tap I call “liquid gold.”

It helps us immensely to understand what type of arthritis you have and guides treatment.

I removed 25 cc of fluid from a 56 year old man’s knee in today’s first visit.

It’s so important, I walked over to the lab myself to hand deliver the fluid !!

12/03/2025

New Blog: Your Complete Guide to Methotrexate

If you were recently diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis and someone mentioned methotrexate, you’re not alone in feeling a mix of curiosity, hesitation, and a lot of questions. As a rheumatologist, I talk about methotrexate every single day. I am writing this to cut through all the noise and give you valuable knowledge about this drug, after prescribing it for almost 15 years.

This guide is meant to feel like sitting down with me in clinic, asking all your real questions, and getting straightforward, reassuring answers.

https://www.drrmichellekoolaee.com/your-complete-guide-to-methotrexate

$Cold, rainy days in California always remind me of how quickly a slippery surface can turn into a serious fracture for s...$

11/18/2025

Cold, rainy days in California always remind me of how quickly a slippery surface can turn into a serious fracture for someone with osteoporosis. Prevention isn’t complicated — it’s about understanding the risks and making small, consistent changes. I put together the 6 must-know tips every patient should start with.

Read more https://www.drrmichellekoolaee.com/prevent-fractures-before-they-happen

11/05/2025

I’m so excited to join The Dr. Raj Podcast family! I’ll be hosting a new monthly series called “Everyday Rheum”, where I’ll be sharing practical insights and stories to empower those living with rheumatic illness.

The first episode is out now — tune in wherever you get your podcasts!

11/04/2025

Cutting back on sugar isn’t about restriction. It’s about relief. 🍬➡️🌿

Small changes in refined sugar intake can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. Better mornings start with mindful choices.

Full blog here: https://www.drrmichellekoolaee.com/cutting-back-on-sugar-a-simple-step-to-reduce-inflammatory-joint-pain

11/01/2025

Never skip breakfast.

I am a rheumatologist and mom of 3 kids, so mornings are busy. But I never skip breakfast, even if it’s just grabbing a low sugar protein bar while heading out the door.

Here’s my current favorite breakfast, takes under 2 minutes to make.

Sourdough bread, protein greens, sliced avocado, sliced Roma tomatoes (my fave), and a little drizzle of TJ’s balsamic glaze for some subtle sweet notes. 🎶 Add a sliced hard boiled egg and it will keep you full for hours!

10/07/2025

I was delighted to be the Wellness Guest Speaker tonight for a group of vibrant, intelligent and enthusiastic residents at Brantwood Senior Living in Pasadena tonight. Their mission is to redefine active senior living & lifelong learning, and tonight’s lecture topic was “Keeping Your Joints Young: What You Need to Know About Arthritis.”

Takeaways to keep your joints young: 1) Know your body. 2) Seek care early. 3) Stay active, eat well, and sleep deeply.

09/14/2025

🌱 Try one new vegetable a week: for me it’s bok choy 🥬 😃

Bok choy is part of the cruciferous vegetable family (like broccoli and kale) and is packed with nutrients that help calm inflammation:

✨ Antioxidants (vitamins C & E) protect cells from damage that drives inflammation.
✨ Vitamin K helps regulate your body’s inflammatory response.
✨ Phytonutrients (like flavonoids) support immune balance and joint health.

For those living with chronic inflammatory diseases, adding variety with vegetables like bok choy isn’t just tasty — it’s one more way to lower the body’s inflammatory load (together with an evidence-based immune modulating regimen, when indicated).

🥬 Easy to cook
🥬 Gentle on digestion
🥬 Delicious in soups, stir-fries, or a quick sauté

Swipe for an easy anti-inflammatory recipe! 💚

Address

800 Fairmount Avenue Suite 210
Pasadena, CA
91105

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5am
Tuesday	8am - 5am
Wednesday	8am - 5am
Thursday	8am - 5am
Friday	8am - 5am
Saturday	8am - 5am
Sunday	8am - 5am

Website

https://www.drrmichellekoolaee.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee, DO, FACR 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 Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee, DO, FACR:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Pasadena?