The Best Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options To Ease Joint Pain, Swelling and Stiffness

If your fingers ache when you wake up, your knees feel puffy by afternoon and opening a jar has started to feel like a workout, you’re not imagining things. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is on the rise: A global study in Lancet Rheumatology predicts RA cases will jump by more than 80 percent over the next 26 years, and women are two to three times more likely to develop it than men. While RA can’t be cured, today’s rheumatoid arthritis treatment options are better than ever, and many women reach full remission when they start care early. Here’s what really works. 

What exactly is rheumatoid arthritis?

RA is a chronic autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints, explains Bryant R. England, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the division of rheumatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The result is red, tender, swollen joints, stiffness (especially in the morning), fatigue and sometimes fever.

Symptoms often begin in the small joints of the fingers and toes on both sides of the body, then spread to wrists, knees and hips. While RA can appear in your 30s and 40s, most cases start around age 60 to 70. Smoking, family history and declining estrogen during menopause can all raise your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

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Wellness

5 Arthritis Pain Relief Tips Real Women Love and Experts Stand Behind

Since arthritis can’t be fully cured, the focus is generally on slowing its progression and managing symptoms so you can be as pain-free as possible. Thankfully, you can implement simple daily practices to soothe sore joints and restore your range of motion. We asked Woman’s World readers to share go-to arthritis pain relief tips that […]

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: The best medications

For mild flares, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) can ease inflammation and reduce pain. But RA usually calls for something stronger to actually protect against long-term joint damage.

Methotrexate is the gold standard

“Methotrexate is commonly used as a first-line option in RA treatment,” says Blen Tesfu, MD, a women’s health advocate and medical advisor for Welzo. It calms the overactive immune response driving the disease. To protect against side effects like lowered folic acid and liver strain, your doctor may suggest a folic acid supplement and easing up on alcohol.

Biologics offer stronger relief

If methotrexate isn’t enough to relieve pain, swelling and stiffness, biologics like TNF-alpha inhibitors (Humira is a well-known example) can be added. “Biologics can help stop or delay the progression of RA rather than simply treating the symptoms,” Dr. Tesfu notes.

There are NSAID alternatives

If you reach for pain relievers often as part of your rheumatoid arthritis care routine, ask your doctor about prescription celecoxib (Celebrex). A Harvard-led study found it carried a 32 percent lower risk of gastrointestinal side effects than ibuprofen.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: The best foods

Adding more anti-inflammatory foods to your diet is a smart strategy to add to your rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan. “Instead of focusing on restrictions, think about ‘eating the rainbow,'” says Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD, a Washington-based primary care physician who has lived with RA for over two decades.

The Mediterranean diet is considered the gold standard dietary treatment for RA, Dr. Baumgaertel explains. Load your plate with:

• Fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and olive oil (such as La Tourangelle Bright & Peppery Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for omega-3s
• Beans, tofu, eggs and lean poultry for protein
• Leafy greens, broccoli and dairy for calcium
• Brown rice, quinoa and oats for gut-friendly fiber

Try to cut back on ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, alcohol and excess salt, which can all fan the flames of inflammation. And forget those old myths about giving up nightshades, carbs or dairy across the board. “Balance is more important than extreme restrictions,” Dr. Baumgaertel says.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: The best supplements

Supplements aren’t a substitute for medication, but they can offer real support for managing rheumatoid arthritis, says Melina Jampolis, MD, a board-certified physician nutrition specialist. Her top picks:

• Curcumin (500 mg twice daily): The spice works as well as NSAIDs for pain, without the stomach-irritating side effects. Look for versions with black pepper (piperine) for better absorption.
• Omega-3s (about 2,600 mg EPA and DHA): These are especially helpful for inflammatory arthritis.
• Boswellia (300 to 400 mg daily): Look for AKBA or 5-Loxin on the label.
• UC-II collagen (40 mg daily): Emerging research shows it may ease joint pain and stiffness.
• Vitamin D (around 600 IU): Only take this if you’re deficient, which about 70 percent of Americans are.

Tip: You can probably skip the glucosamine and chondroitin combo—the pain-relief evidence is modest at best.

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Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: The best home remedies

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Small habits add up. Dr. Baumgaertel recommends the following lifestyle habits to help treat rheumatoid arthritis at home:

• Get more gentle movement like walking, swimming or tai chi—aim for 30 minutes a day. 
• Prioritize sleep (a pillow between the knees helps side sleepers stay comfortable with less joint pain).
• Manage stress with meditation, yoga or acupuncture. Depression is twice as common in people with RA, so caring for your mind matters as much as your joints.

To dull the discomfort of flare-ups fast, consider a topical treatment like Icy Hot Revive & Recovery Pain Relief Roll On with Menthol, which temporarily soothes achy joints.

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