If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you may feel as if no one understands what you’re going through. Joint pain and stiffness isn’t visible to others, which can leave you feeling vulnerable.
That’s where supportive organizations and groups come in: They can provide you with the resources, tools, and connections you need not just to manage RA, but thrive despite the condition. Whether you’ve been living with RA for years or are newly diagnosed, there are options out there that can help.
American College of Rheumatology
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has been the leading nonprofit professional organization for RA since it was founded in 1934. It currently supports more than 9,600 rheumatology experts and helps connect patients and providers through its Rheumatology Provider Directory.
The ACR encourages people with arthritis to take action by messaging government representatives who are responsible for making policy decisions that may impact the daily lives of people living with these conditions. Sharing your personal stories about treatment access or cost issues can help the ACR work toward solving policy problems that impact people with RA and other rheumatic diseases.
Stay connected with the ACR on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation was founded in 1948 with a mission to conquer all forms of arthritis, including RA, and ultimately find a cure. Along with providing access to educational information about RA, the Arthritis Foundation offers a variety of unique online resources, including a doctor finder and a list of certified arthritis-friendly products and gadgets.
You can listen to experts and advocates alike on the Live Yes! With Arthritis podcast and the organization’s webinar series, and speak to others on the RA Connect Group. Stay in touch on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.
CreakyJoints
CreakyJoints, a community of thousands of people across the United States who are living with various forms of arthritis, is part of a nonprofit advocacy group that aims to improve the quality of life for people with chronic conditions.
CreakyJoints takes part in various research and advocacy efforts to educate the community about chronic disease and improve access to care, and offers a variety of educational resources for people with RA, including information on financial assistance, health insurance issues, family planning and parenting support, joint replacements, and clinical trials.
CreakyJoints also collects and shares patient-submitted stories on what life with arthritis is really like. Download their free app, PatientSpot, to track your symptoms and stay on top of your treatment regimen, and follow the organization on Facebook, X, and YouTube.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases
Since 1986, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has been working to understand and address disparities in diseases such as RA.
Each year, NIAMS spends over $500 million to support research efforts and communicate findings with the public. It’s also a great way to learn about current and upcoming clinical trials and hear from others who have participated in previous trials.
In addition, the website offers educational information on RA for patients and their loved ones, including the latest news about the condition. For more information, contact NIAMS via email at NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 877-226-4267.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Group
Connecting online with others who have RA can be a great way to share experiences and what helped them, and feel less alone while managing this condition. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Group is a private Facebook group that was created in 2017 to do just that. Today, the group consists of more than 120,000 members who have posted about 500 times in the past month.
