PathophysiologyRheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory-mediated process that triggers an autoimmune response. The result is the production of antibodies and inflammatory cytokines that over time destroy bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels (Dewing, Setter, & Slusher, 2012). Although the joints are the main areas of destruction, the inflammatory process can also affect various organs, such as cardiac tissue, including heart values, visceral layers of the lung and brain, spleen, sclera and larynx (Dunphy, Windland -Brown, Porter, & Thomas 2011). If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated promptly or if the patient does not respond to treatment, the consequences are often irrevocable bone deformity, bone erosion and immobility. Treatment standards According to the American College of Rheumatology (ARC) (2012) and the recommendations of the International Task Force of Rheumatologists (2010) treatment is aimed at remission, reduction of the inflammatory response, pain control, preservation of joint function and to prevent and/or stop joint destruction. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis fall into two categories: fast-acting and slow-acting. Fast-acting drugs typically fight pain and inflammation. Medications include, but are not limited to, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Celebrex, and corticosteroids such as cortisone and prednisone. Slow-acting drugs slow joint destruction and stimulate remission; these drugs include DMARDS and biologics. The mainstay of treatment is the use of DMARDs such as Methotrexate, Plaquenil, and biologics known as TNF inhibitors including infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab. Since the 1970s DMARDs have been the gold standard of treatment (Kahlenberg and Fox, 2011). The medicat...... at the center of the article...... rheumatoid arthritis: a quantitative and qualitative study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 11(1), 43.Uhlig, T. (2012). Tai Chi and yoga as complementary therapies in rheumatological diseases. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 26(3), 387-398. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/about/plans/2011Verhoef, M.J., Boon, H., & Page, S. (2008). Talking to cancer patients about complementary therapies: is it the doctor's responsibility? Current Oncology, 15(0), s88-s93.Wang, C. (2011). Tai Chi and rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, 37(1), 19-32. Wang, C. (2012). Role of Tai Chi in the treatment of rheumatological diseases. Current rheumatology reports, 14(6), 598-603.