Sick of joint pain and conflicting advice? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory disease, but modern treatment aims to control inflammation, protect joints, and keep you doing daily life. This page explains the common treatments, quick flare fixes, and daily habits that really change outcomes.
Treatment usually starts fast and aims for low or no disease activity. Doctors commonly use disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) first. Methotrexate is the most-used DMARD — it lowers inflammation and slows joint damage. If methotrexate isn’t enough or causes side effects, other conventional DMARDs like hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine can be tried.
When standard DMARDs don’t control symptoms, biologic drugs or targeted synthetic drugs are options. Biologics include TNF inhibitors (like etanercept), IL-6 blockers, and others. JAK inhibitors are oral targeted medicines used when biologics aren’t right. These drugs reduce immune-driven joint damage but raise infection risk, so doctors do tests before starting (TB screen, hepatitis checks) and monitor your blood regularly.
Short courses of corticosteroids are helpful for fast symptom control or severe flares, but long-term steroid use has real downsides. Injections into a swollen joint can calm a flare quickly and let you continue physical therapy.
For pain and stiffness, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical pain relievers give short-term relief. Heat helps stiffness in the morning; ice eases swelling after activity. Keep a symptom diary — noting what hurts, when, and what helps — so your rheumatologist can adjust treatment faster.
Exercise matters. Low-impact activities (walking, swimming, cycling) plus gentle strength and range-of-motion work preserve function. Occupational therapy can teach safer ways to do tasks and recommend splints or tools that reduce joint strain. Losing extra weight lowers joint stress and often reduces pain.
Vaccinations are important because many RA treatments lower immunity. Get flu and pneumococcal vaccines, and talk to your doctor about shingles and other shots before starting immunosuppressive drugs. Also quit smoking — it makes RA worse and reduces treatment response.
Watch for red flags: high fever, sudden shortness of breath, severe new pain, or signs of infection around injections. Contact your care team quickly if these happen. Regular follow-up and blood tests let your doctor spot side effects early and adjust therapy toward a clear goal: low disease activity or remission.
Practical tips: keep a medicine list, set reminders for doses and tests, bring photos or a pain diary to appointments, and join a support group or local exercise class for people with arthritis. Good treatment combines the right drugs, regular monitoring, movement, and small daily choices that add up to better control.
Exploring effective alternatives to Methotrexate in 2025, including JAK inhibitors like Rinvoq, for treating rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. Discover insights into the benefits and drawbacks of these new treatment options to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare plan.
