How to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by a prolonged disease course and frequent relapses—features it shares with gout. RA is extremely difficult to eradicate; acute flares commonly cause severe joint swelling and pain, significantly restricting joint mobility and causing considerable distress to patients. So, how is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Let’s explore this further.

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?

Oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are currently the only therapeutic approach capable of controlling disease activity and progression in RA. Commonly prescribed oral traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) include Tripterygium glycosides tablets, total glucosides of paeony capsules, and Xiao Huo Luo Wan. Conventional Western medications frequently used include methotrexate combined with leflunomide to enhance therapeutic efficacy against RA. Glucocorticoids—such as prednisone acetate tablets or dexamethasone—may also be administered; these agents possess potent anti-inflammatory effects and provide rapid symptom relief, yet they cannot cure the disease. In addition to oral pharmacotherapy, complementary TCM modalities—including acupoint plaster application, moxibustion, herbal foot baths, and herbal steam therapy—can help unblock meridians and alleviate symptoms such as joint swelling and pain.

Clinical Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Clinically, RA presents as symmetrical swelling and pain around small joints, resulting from synovial inflammation. Patients often experience marked morning stiffness and tightness upon waking, particularly in affected joints; this stiffness typically improves significantly after movement. The most commonly involved joints include the proximal interphalangeal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists, elbows, and metatarsophalangeal joints. In the middle-to-late stages of disease, patients commonly develop joint flexion contractures, deformities, ankylosis, functional impairment, osteoporosis, and even loss of working capacity. Joint pain tends to intensify during damp, rainy, or cold weather.

To support management, patients should avoid damp, cold, or overcrowded environments and increase sun exposure. Maintaining regular sexual activity, adequate rest, and a positive emotional state is recommended. A diet rich in selenium- and vitamin-containing foods is beneficial. Consistent, appropriate physical exercise—including gentle flexion and extension exercises for all joints—is encouraged. Additionally, patients should keep joints warm, protect them from wind and dampness, and maintain normal functional joint positioning.

The above provides an overview of current approaches to treating rheumatoid arthritis. We hope this information proves helpful to you.