To verify the therapeutic effects of the method of softening and lubricating the joints, and calming the endogenous wind in case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the syndrome of channel blockage due to yin deficiency, 60 RA patients with the syndrome of channel blockage due to yin deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group (40 cases) and a control group (20 cases) and treated respectively by the above method for the former and with Zheng Qing Feng Tong Ning Tablets ([symbol: see text]) for the latter. The result turned out to be that the effect in the treatment group was very satisfying. The treatment group obtained a better result in the accumulated points of syndrome and RA, morning rigidity of the joints, grip strength, 20m walking time and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The above indicates that channel blockage due to yin deficiency is an important pathogenesis of RA, and calming the endogenous wind is a method of choice for treating RA.