Let’s Talk About OA Pain
The number one reason why arthritis sufferers seek treatment is pain.
Be it stiffness and aches, stabbing or throbbing, or intermittent pulsing, arthritis inflammation causes unwanted pain that can get in the way of normal activities.
Pain is a unique and bothersome symptom in that it manifests and is perceived differently from person to person. There are many factors that contribute to pain perception, including biological, psychological and social factors.
In fact, there is no one “pain center,” but your body’s nervous system controls the pain interpretation and processing. The nervous system is comprised of two parts:
Central nervous system: brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system: nerves and nerve pathways throughout the body
When there is damage to the body from injury or disease, the affected tissues release chemicals that deliver information to the brain via nerve pathways. Because these chemicals travel to multiple parts of the brain, including areas that control mood, hormones, and sleep, persistent pain can spill over into other areas of life.
The duration of time in which pain is experienced can alter its impact on your overall health. Typically, pain is categorized into two groups: acute and chronic.
Acute pain: less than three months
Chronic pain: three months or more
Generally speaking, the longer that pain is experienced, the more difficult it is to reverse, which is why seeking an evaluation for your pain at the early onset of symptoms and developing a pain management plan is critical to maintaining your best health and mobility.
The first step to treating arthritis pain is understanding how it presents itself in your body. Learn more about the mysterious science of pain in this video from TED-Ed:
Have OA pain? Share your experiences and learn from others in our online community, Arthritis Together.