Abstract：Objective：To observe the clinical effect of thumb-tack needling for subcutaneous embedding at points combined with western medicine for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods： A total of 100 cases of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were selected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table method，with 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with Methotrexate Tablets combined with Celecoxib Capsules， and the observation group was additionally treated with thumb- tack needling for subcutaneous embedding at Yinlingquan point (SF 9)， Yanglingquan point (GB 34)，and Ashi point based on the treatment of the control group. Both groups were treated for eight treatment courses. The laboratory indicators and the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs were compared in the two groups. Results：After four-week treatment，the total remission rate was 84.0% in the observation group and 60.00% in the control group， the difference being significant (P＜ 0.05)； after eight- week treatment， the total remission rate was 96.0% in the observation group and 72.00% in the control group，the difference being significant (P＜0.05). After eight- week treatment，the scores of the time of morning stiffness， the number of joint tenderness， the number of joint swelling， and pain at rest in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment and after four- week treatment (P＜0.05)， and the improvement of above indexes at the same time points in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P＜0.05). After eight- week treatment， the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)， C- reactive protein (CRP)， and rheumatoid factors in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment and after four- week treatment (P＜0.05)，and the three levels at the same time points in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion： Thumb- tack needling for subcutaneous embedding at points combined with western medicine for rheumatoid arthritis can enhance clinical effects， relieve clinical symptoms and signs of patients，and improve laboratory indicators.