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Rheumatoid arthritis flares can be unpredictable—and they can last anywhere between a day to a year if left untreated. Home remedies like acupuncture and medication can help calm flares.

For some people, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a cyclical disease: symptoms can disappear for several weeks, months, or even years. Then, it flares up and causes symptoms again.

A flare can last anywhere from a day to several weeks.

Read on to learn techniques and strategies for coping with RA flares.

RA flares can start suddenly and unexpectedly. In some instances, there is no definable cause. In other cases, an RA flare can be triggered by mental stress, physical overexertion, or an infection.

Signs you may have an RA flare include:

Typically, flares can be suppressed with medication, and at times, eased with home remedies.

While there is no cure, those with RA can help treat and suppress flares by taking certain medications.

Corticosteroids

During a flare, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to help reduce inflammation while you are waiting for other medications to take effect.

Corticosteroids are strong and fast acting, but they are not meant to be taken long term.

NSAIDs

Ibuprofen and naproxen are two examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs, although they can also be prescribed by a doctor at higher dosages.

DMARDs

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, slow the progression of the disease while also helping to reduce inflammation. These are often the first type of drugs prescribed for people dealing with RA.

Currently, there are three types of DMARDS:

  • conventional DMARDs, which broadly suppress your immune system in order to ease inflammation
  • targeted DMARDs, which block precise pathways inside cells
  • biologic DMARDs, which focus on individual immune proteins known as cytokines

Biologics are typically prescribed when conventional DMARDs do not seem to be working. Common biologics include adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), and etanercept (Enbrel).

Because all DMARDs suppress your immune system, they can increase your risk of infection.

They can also affect the optimal response to vaccines, and certain vaccines should not be given. Discuss specific vaccines and possible medication adjustments with your doctor.

Make sure to talk with your doctor about the side effects of any specific DMARD they are prescribing to you.

JAK Inhibitors

Your doctor may prescribe JAK inhibitors if DMARDs or biologics aren’t treating your RA as well. These medications inhibit enzymes involved in inflammation.

JAK inhibitors include:

Before starting a JAK inhibitor, talk with your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks.

Even if you’re using medication for your RA, the following home remedies may aid in calming flares:

Hot and cold therapies

Heating pads and hot baths can help soothe stiff joints. Ice packs can help with dulling acute pain and easing swollen joints.

Massage

Massages can help with relaxing stiff muscles and easing stress.

However, it is important to talk to your doctor before engaging in a massage for RA. Some techniques may involve strong pressure on sensitive tissues or joints, or moving limbs into positions that may be uncomfortable.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting tiny needles into the skin. Research suggests this alternative therapy can help improve function and quality of life in people living with RA.

Daily movement

Staying active when possible can help improve symptoms of RA and augment your ability to complete daily tasks.

Some exercises you may consider trying include:

Meditation

Stress can trigger an RA flare, so it’s important to find ways to attempt to lower your stress levels via activities like meditation.

There is some evidence to support mindfulness meditation as a productive alternative therapy for easing RA symptoms.

You can meditate from anywhere and during any activity. For example, you can meditate by focusing your breathing instead of listening to music.

Supplements

Studies show that fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, may help reduce the number of swollen and tender joints.

Curcumin, a main ingredient in turmeric, is associated with easing arthritis symptoms. However, curcumin should be taken with piperine. Curcumin has low bioavailability on its own, and piperine can help improve absorption.

However, talk with your doctor before starting any supplements. Not all supplements are created equal, and the FDA does not regulate OTC fish oil or curcumin dosage.

Diet

While there is no specific diet that can cure arthritis, there are foods that may help your RA symptoms by helping to lower inflammation in your body.

These include, but are not limited to:

Rest

You may not be able to complete as many activities or errands when you’re dealing with an RA flare, and that’s perfectly OK. Giving your body time to rest in between activities can help keep stress levels lower.

Don’t be afraid to admit when you can’t do something. Stressing your body beyond what it can handle may actually make your flare worse.

In addition to incorporating both home remedies and medication to help suppress your RA flares, finding a rheumatologist may make it easier to navigate flares when they do arise.

If your RA has made movement difficult, routine visits to a physical therapist, if possible, can help restore some flexibility.

When you have an RA flare, medications such as corticosteroids can help relieve pain and inflammation quickly. Medications such as DMARDs, NSAIDs, and JAK inhibitors may help prevent future flares when taken regularly and as prescribed.

Home remedies like maintaining a nutrient-dense, inflammation-lowering diet, exercising, and practicing meditation can also help to ease the difficulties that come with RA flares.