Arthritis Pain

Arthritis pain may come from different sources. These may include inflammation of the tissue that lines the joints, the tendons, or the ligaments; muscle strain and fatigue. A combination of these factors adds to the intensity of the pain. The pain of arthritis varies greatly from person to person, for reasons unknown to doctors.

Factors that contribute to the pain include swelling within the joint, the amount of heat or redness present, and/or damage that has occurred within the joint. Additionally, activities affect pain differently so that some patients note pain in their joints after first getting out of bed in the morning, whereas others develop pain after prolonged use of the joint. The threshold and tolerance for pain differs from individual to individual and is often affected by both physical and emotional factors.

These can include depression, anxiety, and even hypersensitivity at the affected areas due to tissue injury and inflammation. This increased sensitivity normally appears to affect the amount of pain perceived by the individual.

Coping with Pain

The long-term goal of pain management is to help you cope with this chronic, often disabling pain. You may be caught in a cycle of depression, stress and pain. To attain freedom from this cycle, you need to be an active participant with the doctor and other health care professionals to help you manage your pain. This includes cognitive-behavioural therapy, physical therapy, biofeedback, occupational therapy, relaxation techniques, and family counselling therapy.

How to Manage Pain • Get sufficient (8 to 10 hours) sleep at night.
• Keep a daily diary of pain and mood changes to share with your doctor.
• Choose a caring, dedicated physician.
• Join a support group for pain management and support for arthritis.
• Be informed about new research on managing pain.