Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic and frequently occurring general autoimmune disease characterized chiefly by joint synovitis. Up to now

its pathogenesis remains unclear. According to its symptoms as pain

swelling and malformation of joints of extremities

it belongs to the category of "Bi syndrome". In the present paper

the effect of acupuncture with the needles warmed with ignited moxa (warming needles in short) was observed and compared with that of Western medicine Votalin Ointment. Close attention was paid to its local analgesic effect in treating RA. 62 cases of adult active RA including 23 males and 39 females were randomly and evenly divided into treatment group and control group. All the patients met the RA Revised Classification Standard (1987) and Active RA Standard of American Rheumatoid Disease Association. In treatment group

31 patients were treated with warming needles and acupoints used were Quchi (LI 11)

Waiguan (SJ 5)

Hegu (LI 4)

Baxie (EX UE 9)

Yanglingquan (GB 34)

Zusanli (ST 36)

Kunlun (BL 60)

Bafeng (EX LE 10)

etc. The treatment was given once daily

with two or three points used every time

and with the needles warmed for 20 to 30 minutes. In control group

Votalin Ointment was applied to the local affected part

twice daily. 30 days' treatment was considered as a theraputic course. An interval of 5 or 7 days was given before the next treatment started. After treatment

the results showed a satisfactory result in both groups. Regarding to the pain and swelling degrees

Ridit Test showed a significant difference between pre and post treatment (P<0.05). Tenderness index of joints and the numbers of joint pain had remarkable improvement

symptoms such as morning stiffness

etc were obviously improved

but there was little difference between the two groups (P> 0.05). Warming needle therapy is effective in improving clinical symptoms especially in relieving pain

which is similar to that of Votalin Ointment. It is worth to be mentioned that the warming needle treatment has no irritant to the skin and has no side effect

and is thus superior to Votalin Ointment in this respect.