About
Dr. Martina Ziegenbein is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 17 years of clinical experience. J. Safarik University in Kosice, Slovakia, in June 2000. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at St. Joseph's Hospital's Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wisconsin, beginning in 2001. A single lecture on rheumatology during that first residency year set her career direction permanently.
She completed her Rheumatology fellowship at Boston University Medical Center in 2006, then spent an additional year at the Johns Hopkins University Lupus Center studying systemic lupus erythematosus. That fellowship year confirmed her commitment to clinical practice over academic research. She received board certification in Rheumatology in 2006 and recertified in 2016. She practiced clinical rheumatology primarily in Wisconsin from 2007 until relocating to Cape Cod in March 2021. Dr. Ziegenbein has personal experience with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, which deeply informs how she approaches patient care. She delivered a TEDx talk titled "How The Brain Has Power Over Our Pain" at TEDxMountRubidoux. She also hosts the podcast "Winning at Fibromyalgia," which she launched in 2021. She holds particular expertise in neuroplastic pain, the mind-body connection, and non-medication tools for chronic pain. A mother who moved to Cape Cod drawn by its proximity to the ocean, she brings both scientific rigor and genuine compassion to every patient relationship.
Education & Training
Medical School
P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia (MD, June 2000)
Residency
Internal Medicine, St. Joseph's Hospital's Marshfield Clinic (Marshfield Medical Center), Marshfield, WI (began 2001)
Fellowship
Rheumatology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA (completed 2006); Lupus Research, Johns Hopkins University Lupus Center, Baltimore, MD (1 additional year)
Additional Training
Pursued additional skills and knowledge in chronic pain management through several reputable institutions during 17-year career; podcast host 'Winning at Fibromyalgia' (started 2021); TEDx speaker
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Ziegenbein right for?
Dr. Ziegenbein is a strong fit for adults and teens aged 16 and older dealing with complex rheumatologic conditions. Patients with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, or chronic pain benefit most from her integrated approach. She is especially effective with patients who have struggled to find answers for chronic or widespread pain. Those open to mind-body strategies alongside evidence-based medicine will find her approach particularly valuable.
Similar Doctors Nearby
Dr. Annemarie ArmaniMD
Internal Medicinecardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia +7 more
Dr. Mark CollinsMD
Internal Medicinecardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight and metabolic disorders +2 more
Dr. Martin CottiMD
Internal Medicinechronic disease management, preventive care, acute illness +2 more
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Ziegenbein treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, gout, vasculitis, myositis, and a broad range of autoimmune diseases. She also evaluates and manages chronic pain, neuroplastic pain, joint pain, and muscle pain. Her training spans both inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions, giving her a comprehensive diagnostic foundation.
Yes. Dr. Ziegenbein earned board certification in Rheumatology in 2006 and recertified in 2016. She completed her rheumatology fellowship at Boston University Medical Center and followed that with an additional year of lupus research at the Johns Hopkins University Lupus Center.
Dr. Ziegenbein treats fibromyalgia as a form of neuroplastic pain rooted in the brain's pain processing system. She combines clinical rheumatology expertise with mind-body tools, including self-compassion and mindfulness practices. She keeps fibromyalgia patients in her care rather than returning them to primary care, recognizing that this condition requires ongoing specialist attention. Her personal experience with chronic pain further shapes her empathetic approach.
During her very first core lecture in Internal Medicine residency at Marshfield Clinic, Dr. Ziegenbein encountered a rheumatology topic and decided on the spot to pursue the specialty. She went on to train at Boston University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins, ultimately becoming a practicing rheumatologist in 2007.
Yes. Dr. Ziegenbein completed an additional year of dedicated lupus research and fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins University Lupus Center. This training gave her specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating systemic lupus erythematosus that goes beyond standard rheumatology fellowship training.
Dr. Ziegenbein approaches each patient with care, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference. She grounds her care in evidence-based clinical medicine while honoring whole-health wellness principles. She regularly attends conferences and reads current literature to ensure her patients receive up-to-date treatment. Her personal experience with autoimmune illness and chronic pain gives her an uncommon level of insight into her patients' experiences.
Yes. Dr. Ziegenbein offers virtual visits in addition to in-person appointments. Patients enrolled in the monthly membership plan can use their four annual comprehensive rheumatology visits either in person or via telemedicine, depending on their preference and clinical needs.
Dr. Ziegenbein personally contacts new patients within 24 hours of their first outreach. She typically schedules initial appointments within one to seven days. Follow-up visits are available same day to within one to five business days, providing genuinely prompt access to specialist care.
Yes. Dr. Ziegenbein delivered a TEDx talk titled "How The Brain Has Power Over Our Pain" at TEDxMountRubidoux, where she explored the science of chronic pain and practical tools for reducing its burden. She also hosts the podcast "Winning at Fibromyalgia," which she launched in 2021 to share information about fibromyalgia and non-medication strategies for improving it.
Doctor profile last updated August 19, 2026