Rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia often overlap in symptoms, causing confusion for both patients and doctors. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune

inflammation that affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness — especially in the hands and feet. Fibromyalgia, however, is a completely different condition where the body’s pain perception system becomes overly sensitive.

The brain and spinal cord amplify ordinary sensations, turning them into pain — a process known as central sensitization. This means that patients can experience widespread pain even in the absence of inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with immune-modulating medications (DMARDs) to suppress inflammation and protect the joints, while fibromyalgia management focuses on retraining the pain system through graded exercise, good sleep, stress reduction, and medications that regulate pain signaling. About 20 to 25 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients may also have fibromyalgia, which makes clinical distinction even more important.

Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with immune-modulating medications (DMARDs) to suppress inflammation and protect the joints, while fibromyalgia management focuses on retraining the pain system through graded exercise, good sleep, stress reduction, and medications that regulate pain signaling. About 20 to 25 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients may also have fibromyalgia, which makes clinical distinction even more important.