6 Myths About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Written with Ann Arbor Holistic Health Practitioner, Pamela Moore, FDN-P
Pamela’s diagnosis of Hashimoto’s and Lupus sparked a 15-year journey to uncover deeper answers. Today, she is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with extensive training in genetic testing, epigenetics, and environmental mold analysis. She holds multiple certifications, including Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Gluten-Free Nutrition, and has supported over 500 clients in understanding their unique genetic makeup.
Discover the truth behind common rheumatoid arthritis myths. Learn how RA develops, its root causes, and supportive steps to ease symptoms.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often mistaken for the everyday joint stiffness and aches that come with aging, but it’s a very different condition. “Rheumatoid arthritis is a specific type of arthritis that is autoimmune in nature,” explains Pamela Moore, FDN-P, an Ann Arbor Holistic Health practitioner. “The immune system attacks different aspects of the joints and actually degrades them. It can also affect organs and tissues systemically.” Unlike osteoarthritis, which develops from years of wear and tear, RA is an inflammatory process that can affect far more than just bones and joints.
What makes RA particularly challenging is how slowly it develops. Moore notes that autoimmune conditions typically take years (even decades) to progress to the point where symptoms appear. “For any autoimmune disease to develop, three things must be in place: a genetic weak link, leaky gut, and an environmental trigger,” she says. The digestive system is a key player: when the gut lining is damaged, microscopic food particles and toxins can escape into the bloodstream, sparking widespread inflammation. If a food sensitivity, gut infection, toxin, or mold exposure is layered on top of that, the body may finally tip into autoimmunity.
Because RA is driven by multiple root causes, management goes beyond simply easing pain. Moore emphasizes a holistic framework: “Determine root causes…remove inflammatory foods like gluten…use natural approaches like anti-inflammatory herbs or systemic enzymes…heal and seal the gut lining.” She adds that lifestyle factors, especially sleep, can’t be overlooked. “Sleep is when the body repairs tissue,” she explains, highlighting how rest and recovery are just as essential as targeted strategies for calming inflammation.
Understanding this complexity makes it easier to see why so many common myths about rheumatoid arthritis fall short. Misconceptions about who gets RA, how it progresses, and what helps can leave people confused or discouraged. One of the most persistent myths is that RA only happens to older adults, when in reality, it can begin far earlier in life.
6 Myths About Rheumatoid Arthritis
As with all autoimmune disorders, there are myths floating around about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that make it difficult for people to understand what it really means to have this condition. Many of the myths about RA trivialize the condition, when it is a severe health problem that can shorten a life if not carefully managed.
Myth #1: Only old people get rheumatoid arthritis.
You don’t have to reach senior citizen status to get gray hair. The same goes for arthritis. While it is more likely for an older adult to develop rheumatoid arthritis, this autoimmune condition can begin around the age of 25. (Osteoarthritis is the joint disorder that develops with age due to simple wear and tear.) Bottom line: Arthritis is a big deal no matter what age you are.
Myth #2: You shouldn’t exercise if you have arthritis.
Sitting still is one of the worst things you can do for RA. Long periods of inactivity make it harder for the body to work. Low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, or tai chi can stabilize joints, strengthen and stretch muscles, and improve joint motion, all of which can help reduce pain.
Myth #3: Your diet has nothing to do with your autoimmune disease.
One of the biggest culprits behind autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis are food sensitivities, allergies, and problems with the digestive system. Eating healthy and eating foods that are right for your body’s unique needs can help relieve some RA symptoms. Sensitivities to certain foods could trigger an inflammatory response or exacerbate arthritis symptoms.
Myth #4: Rheumatoid arthritis is always debilitating.
Certainly, RA can put limitations on what a person is able to do. For many people, the condition is not constant. Other RA sufferers experience only flares, which is when the autoimmune condition worsens and brings with it the hallmark symptoms of joint swelling and pain.
Myth #5: RA only affects joints and bones.
Typically, the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain and swelling in the joints. However, advanced cases of RA can negatively affect other parts of your body. Inflammation can spread to the eyes, blood vessels, lungs, and heart, causing other health conditions to develop. Plus, the mental and emotional toll of living with a chronic autoimmune disorder can be difficult to overcome. RA is much more than just its own set of symptoms.
Myth #6: Medication is the only thing that can help my arthritis.
There is no fixed cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Many people must take medication to help themselves, but there are ways to supplement the treatment your doctor provides. With the right therapy and support, the progression of the disease can be slowed.
As Pamela Moore, FDN-P, emphasizes, rheumatoid arthritis develops through a web of underlying factors, but that also means there are many supportive ways to approach it. From addressing gut health and removing inflammatory triggers to making rest a priority, small shifts can have a meaningful impact. Pairing these strategies with your doctor’s guidance allows you to support your body more fully and move beyond the myths to a place of empowerment.
Holistic support can ease the symptoms of RA. Contact the holistic health specialists at Ann Arbor Holistic Health to find out how you can learn to live better even though you have rheumatoid arthritis.