Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: Complementary Therapies
Rheumatoid ArthritisFinding Strength: Life With RA

4 Complementary Therapies to Try for Rheumatoid Arthritis

While following your prescribed treatment plan is the best way to address RA symptoms, these add-on therapies may also provide relief.
4 Complementary Therapies to Try for Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Updated on October 6, 2025
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Medication is the most common — and most effective — way to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and slow the progression of the disease, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

 But some people also incorporate complementary therapies into their overall RA treatment plan to help relieve symptoms.

Robert Shmerling, MD, a corresponding member of the faculty at Harvard Medical School in Boston and the senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, says that people with RA are increasingly turning to therapies such as massage and acupuncture to alleviate pain. Though these treatments have not been proven to help reduce the inflammation that causes RA symptoms, they can help improve feelings of well-being, which in turn can impact your RA, Dr. Shmerling says.

“During most of these therapies, you’re potentially relaxed and less stressed,” Shmerling says. “You’re focused on healing and putting your mind at rest, so the treatments can have positive effects.”

Most medical professionals refer to these treatments as “complementary therapies,” meaning they shouldn’t replace traditional treatment for RA but might add to the overall effects of conventional therapies.

If you’re ready to add new approaches to your RA treatment regimen, consider these options.

1. Massage

Guidelines from the ACR regarding integrative approaches for RA note that massage may be helpful.

According to a review of research, available evidence from clinical studies suggests that massage — including Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, and foot reflexology — can reduce pain, improve joint function, and modulate inflammatory markers and cortisol levels. But additional studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed.

In general, massage is safe for people with RA, Shmerling says, but be sure to review your current condition with your massage therapist before every session. “Each time, there should be a discussion of where the issues are and parts of the body that might be tender,” he says. “Massage tends to focus on muscles, while RA affects the joints. There’s usually a way to avoid having a massage that is too aggressive and ends up causing more trouble.”

2. Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness is a process of continually being aware of your thoughts and feelings — and observing those thoughts dispassionately rather than judging them.

ACR guidelines on integrative treatments note that mind-body approaches such as mindfulness meditation may be effective tools to include in your overall integrative RA treatment approach.

According to a meta-analysis of research, mindfulness-based interventions have a positive — though small — effect on biomarkers of inflammation and stress in patients with psychiatric disorders and physical illnesses.

While studies haven’t shown a direct link between mindfulness practice and the reduction of pain and inflammation in people with RA, research has found that mindfulness affects how people with RA experience their symptoms. A small study of 28 people with controlled RA found that up to 12 months after completing a program of mindfulness-based stress reduction, their anxiety, depression, emotion-oriented coping, sleep, and function significantly improved, even though no significant impact was observed on pain and disease activity.

3. Biofeedback

This is another mind-body approach. Biofeedback uses an electronic device to help you get more in touch with bodily functions that are typically automatic.

 Then you can learn relaxation techniques to change the way you respond to pain.
There haven’t been many studies measuring the effects of biofeedback, but one analysis found that, when used in combination with other therapies, it may help people with RA improve functional capabilities.

If you’re interested in trying biofeedback or other mind-body techniques, such as hypnosis, guided imagery, or meditation, seek an experienced practitioner. Your rheumatologist may be able to provide a recommendation.

4. Acupuncture

This is done by inserting very small needles into the skin to stimulate specific areas of the body. Acupuncture is often used to alleviate joint pain.

A total of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 796 patients with RA found that acupuncture was an effective adjunctive treatment for patients with RA, beneficial for pain relief and improved quality of life.

The ACR recommends trying acupuncture as a part of your overall RA management approach.

Shmerling says the pain relief may be due to the placebo effect, a phenomenon in which you receive inactive treatment but feel better because you believe it will work. Regardless, if you’re interested in trying acupuncture for RA, be sure to find a trained acupuncturist who uses sterile needles, Shmerling says. Improper technique can cause skin infections and other injuries.

The Takeaway

  • Medication remains the most effective way to manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but complementary therapies like massage and acupuncture can be part of the overall treatment strategy.
  • Mindfulness meditation may reduce psychological distress and improve well-being in people with RA, even though studies haven't shown direct improvements in pain or disease activity.
  • Biofeedback therapy has potential benefits when combined with other therapies, enhancing functional capabilities for individuals with RA. And acupuncture is considered a beneficial adjunct treatment for RA to relieve pain, but ensure it's done by a trained professional to avoid risks such as infections.
  • Discuss complementary therapies with your rheumatologist to make sure they’re right for you.

Additional reporting by Madeline Vann, MPH, and Kerry Weiss.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Fraenkel L et al. 2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. June 8, 2021.
  2. England BR et al. 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for Exercise, Rehabilitation, Diet, and Additional Integrative Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. 2023.
  3. Khojakulova U et al. Massage Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatology International. March 22, 2025.
  4. Grasmann J et al. Only Small Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Biomarker Levels of Inflammation and Stress: A Preregistered Systematic Review and Two Three-Level Meta-Analyses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. February 2023.
  5. Gaboury I et al. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to Improve Depression, Pain and High Patient Global Assessment in Controlled Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatology Advances in Practice. September 5, 2022.
  6. Relaxation Techniques: What You Need to Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. June 2021.
  7. Grekhov R et al. Efficiency of Biofeedback Therapy in Complex Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Georgian Medical News. January 2018.
  8. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. October 2022.
  9. Li H et al. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. April 30, 2022.
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Beth Biggee, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Beth Biggee, MD, is medical director and an integrative rheumatologist at Rheumission, a virtual integrative rheumatology practice for people residing in California and Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind company offers whole person autoimmune care by a team of integrative rheumatologists, lifestyle medicine practitioners, autoimmune dietitians, psychologists, and care coordinators.

Dr. Biggee also works as a healthcare wellness consultant for Synergy Wellness Center in Hudson, Massachusetts. Teamed with Synergy, she provides in-person lifestyle medicine and holistic consults, and contributes to employee workplace wellness programs. She has over 20 years of experience in rheumatology and holds board certifications in rheumatology and integrative and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Biggee brings a human-centered approach to wellness rather than focusing solely on diseases.

Dr. Biggee graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Canisius College, and graduated magna cum laude and as valedictorian from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse Medical School. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital, completed her fellowship in rheumatology at Tufts–New England Medical Center, and completed training in integrative rheumatology at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Following her training, she attained board certification in rheumatology and internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine, attained board certification in integrative medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties, and attained accreditation as a certified lifestyle medicine physician through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is certified in Helms auricular acupuncture and is currently completing coursework for the Aloha Ayurveda integrative medicine course for physicians.

In prior roles, Dr. Biggee taught as an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (an affiliate of Columbia University). She was also clinical associate of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and instructed "introduction to clinical medicine" for medical students at Tufts. She was preceptor for the Lawrence General Hospital Family Medicine Residency.

Dr. Biggee has published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Arthritis in Rheumatism, Current Opinions in Rheumatology, Journal for Musculoskeletal Medicine, Medicine and Health Rhode Island, and Field Guide to Internal Medicine.

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Jennifer Acosta Scott

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Jennifer Acosta Scott is a writer for Healthday. Her career began in newspapers, and she has previously worked as a news reporter for the Tuscaloosa News, the Phenix Citizen, and the Weatherford Democrat. Acosta Scott's work has also been published in outlets like Health, Bankrate, Society Life, The Dallas Morning News, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

She resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband, Mark, and two sons, Patrick and Hayden. When she's not writing or spending time with her family, you can usually find Acosta Scott running in races, from 5Ks to marathons.

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