How to manage arthritis and joint pain: Effective tips for knee pain relief

From healthshots.com

Know how to manage arthritis and joint pain with lifestyle modifications and use of right supplements to reduce the side effects of this degenerative disease

Arthritis, a common musculoskeletal disorder, can hamper the quality of life in a big way. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that people suffer from, and the incidence is on the rise due to general wear and tear, injuries, occupational stress as well as food intolerance. Arthritis typically leads to stiffness, inflammation and pain in joints, affecting one’s mobility and agility. While it is a degenerative disease, there are effective ways to manage arthritis and joint pain through basic lifestyle modifications and use of supplements to promote joint and cartilage health.

What are the common signs of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis primarily impacts hands, knees, hips and spine. Understanding the signs of knee pain associated with arthritis is crucial for effective management. Some of the common symptoms include:

1. Pain and stiffness

Arthritic knee pain is often characterised by persistent discomfort and stiffness. Individuals may experience pain during movement or when standing for extended periods of time.

2. Swelling and inflammation:

Inflammation is a hallmark of arthritis, leading to swelling around the knee joint. This can contribute to increased pain and reduced range of motion.

3. Grating Sensation

Loss of cartilage in the joint can lead to friction. This leads to a grating or crunching sensation, known as crepitus, when moving the knee.

4. Weakness and instability

Arthritis can weaken the muscles around the knee, leading to instability. This may result in difficulty walking or a sense that the knee might give way.

What increases the risk factor of osteoarthritis?

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are some common risk factors that increase the incidence of arthritis.

• Overuse of joints: If a certain joint in your body undergoes repeated pressure or stress, it can spike the risk of arthritis.
• Age: Osteoarthritis risk increases as one gets older. As a result, one may experience wear and tear of joints.
• Gender: Research says women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis once they cross the age of 50.
• Weight: Obesity can be a grave concern as excess weight can easily put excess stress on joints, especially on the hips and knees.
• Genetics: If you have a family history of osteoarthritis, you may be more likely to develop this joint problem.

How to manage knee pain due to arthritis?

                                                 Knee pain is common in osteoarthritis patients. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Managing knee pain associated with arthritis involves a combination of lifestyle changes, exercises, targeted therapies and consumption of right foods and supplements.

1. Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight places additional stress on the knee joints. Adopting a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise to maintain an optimal weight can significantly reduce knee pain.

2. Engage in low-impact exercise

Having knee pain does not mean you can’t exercise. Incorporating low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling or walking into your routine can help improve joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles supporting the knees. Avoid high-impact activities that may exacerbate pain.

3. Consume a nutritious diet

You can mitigate arthritis pain by adding anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods to your diet. Ensure that your plate has green vegetables as well as nuts and seeds. Focus on consuming foods rich in vitamins, minerals, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, apart from staying hydrated.

4. Nutritional supplements

The role of nutritional supplements for arthritis pain cannot be ignored. While they are not a replacement for prescription medicines, they can play a complementary role in arthritis pain management.

On the need for nutritional supplements for joint pain relief, Dr Sushmitha AR, BAMS, tells Health Shots, “Our daily food intake may not always give us the nutrition we require. We cannot practically get all vitamins, proteins or minerals from the meals we consume. So, it is advised to take external supplements. When it comes to joint supplements, our bodies have a component called synovial fluid, which helps to nourish the joints, and cartilage which is a cushion-like substance that reduces friction between the joints. Due to aging, these face degeneration and lead to joint pain. They need proteins and other nutrients present in supplements for regeneration.”

5. Hot and cold therapy

Applying heat or cold packs to the affected knee can provide relief from pain and inflammation. Hot packs help relax muscles and improve blood circulation, while cold packs can numb the area and reduce swelling.

6. Seek physical therapy

A physical therapist can create a customised exercise plan to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint and improve flexibility. Regular sessions can be instrumental in managing arthritis-related knee pain.

7. Use of assistive devices

Supportive devices, such as knee braces or canes, can provide stability and alleviate pressure on the knee joint. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable assistive devices for your specific condition.

The last word

Managing knee pain associated with arthritis requires a multifaceted approach that combines lifestyle changes, targeted exercises, and, in some cases, the judicious use of supplements. By understanding the signs of arthritis-related knee pain and adopting effective strategies, you can enhance your quality of life and maintain optimal joint health.

(Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Nveda. The information mentioned in this article is only for education and awareness, and should not be considered as doctor’s advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalised information.)

https://www.healthshots.com/sponsored/how-to-manage-arthritis-and-joint-pain-effective-tips-for-knee-pain-relief/

 

How To Prevent Aches And Pains During Cold Weather

From healthcare.utah.edu

During cold weather, some people may notice more body stiffness and soreness. Is it normal to feel aches and pains around the winter months, or is this a legitimate health concern? Physical therapist Linda Scholl, DPT, talks about what the cold weather does to your muscles and joints, and how to prevent aches and pains with simple daily exercise

Body Aches and Pains During Cold Weather

Dr. Linda Scholl: Oftentimes when the weather changes, people's injuries or joints tend to ache a little bit more. If they happen to have any precursor to arthritis or already have arthritis, that's when we hear a lot of people complain that their joints are stiff and that they tend to have more pain when they first start moving. Oftentimes, that's pretty typical. Usually, when we're a little older or have more injury under our belt, we'll feel it a little bit more.

Interviewer: So it's common, then, in the winter, to feel the stiffness and the soreness?

Dr. Linda Scholl: What tends to be most common is when we're more sedentary. The first couple of movements when we get up out of a chair or when we're getting out of bed, tends to be when it's the most sore. We just tend to be a little bit more inactive in the winter, so we tend to feel it a little bit more. Also with the cold, sometimes our joints just have a little bit less elasticity and the fact that we're colder. When things are warmed up, they tend to have better stretch, and they don't bind up on us as much. So we recommend that oftentimes it's just gentle, active motion.

If your knee hurts, before you get hurt and you've been sitting in a movie, it's a good idea to just move your knee. Bend your knee back and forth before you stand up and get up. If you're having trouble moving or gripping something with your hands, we ask that you just open and close your hands a little bit before you actually go to grab something. It's things like that, that will help our bodies get a little bit more active and less sore.

Is Bone Weakness Associated with Joint Pain?

Interviewer: In terms of weakness, then, is that also related to the joint as well?

Dr. Linda Scholl: Arthritis, in general, can promote weakness because we tend to not move because we're sore. In the medical field, what we recommend is to try to strengthen those arthritic or stiff joints. The more we strengthen it, the muscles will take on the brute force, energy, of work that has to be done by that joint in that area, so that the muscles tend to do more of the work than the rubbing of the two joint surfaces together.

Stiff Muscles and Cold Weather

Interviewer: I've always heard of the rumours: It's colder. The cold air freezes up your muscles. Is that at all true?

Dr. Linda Scholl: The same sort of thing applies. The less we're moving or the colder it gets, the more tense we tend to be. If we're sitting, for instance, at the computer all day and the cold air has been on, chances are our shoulders have been kind of creeping up and we've kind of been tensing our whole body up just because we're cold, sore, tired, and stiff.

So, we recommend, actually, to relax your shoulders, try and get your body to move a little bit more, and spend less static time doing whatever it is that we're doing. Oftentimes, we hear people complaining about spending too much at the computer, and we don't break it up as much. Truly, the gentle motion before you try and move and do something more aggressive is the best key for that.

Daily Exercise to Prevent Body Aches and Pains

Interviewer: Is there a specific exercise, movement, or stretch that you would recommend to keep your body in shape?

Dr. Linda Scholl: Let's talk a little bit about our posture when we think about our tightness, our aches, and our soreness in our upper body from the winter. I just picture in my mind someone kind of hunched at a computer. Their shoulders are raised. Their chin is kind of jutting out a little bit and kind of scrunched up in there. That stiffness, that kind of clenching of our muscles when you're cold and fatigued is a problem.

What we talk about doing is just lengthening your whole body, kind of pretending someone's got that string on top of your head, pulling your body up, getting your shoulders down, lengthening your back, pulling your belly muscles in, squeezing your shoulder blades a little bit together to try and maintain better posture. Hopefully, we can avoid getting those tight upper trapezius muscles right at the base of our neck and at the top of our shoulders.

Taking your shoulders and doing some shoulder rolls to just kind of loosen that area up is good. Things like that will help. And then just staying active in general such as going for a walk when you have that ten-minute break and spending time in the hallways, on the stairs in your house, moving around a little bit more, and being less sedentary.

Interviewer: Is this going to be the same for everybody? So am I going to be doing the same movements and stretches as my 90-year-old grandma?

Dr. Linda Scholl: To some degree, yes. We all have the same thing working against us, which is gravity, which pulls us down and tends to pull us into poor posture. If we can actually straighten up, the 90-year-old versus the younger person, they still have to work against gravity. The amount of how much that they're doing and they're able to do might vary, but, yes, I'm going to ask you to watch your posture just as much as your grandmother. What you have as an outcome might be different, but the exercises might be similar. So take time. Think about what you need to do before you get up and move. Think about what you have been doing for the last hour or so and see how you can change that so that you can have an overall better posture and enjoy your body and your life a little bit more.

https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2015/01/how-prevent-aches-and-pains-during-cold-weather

Arthritis: Regular exercises, calcium-rich diet and other habits to keep your bones strong and healthy

From moneycontrol.com

Arthritis relief: Did you know you can maintain strong bones by simply eating well and making healthy lifestyle choices? Regular exercises, high calcium intake, and a daily diet rich in nutrients are the keys to staying away from arthritis

Maintaining strong and healthy bones is crucial for overall well-being. Yet it's a facet of our health that is often overlooked. Our bones provide structural support, protect vital organs, and act as a reservoir for essential minerals. Let’s look at key lifestyle habits that contribute to good bone health and those that may undermine it.

1. Prioritise high calcium intake

Calcium is the cornerstone of bone health, playing a pivotal role in bone structure and strength. Ensure your diet includes rich sources of calcium, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Aim for the recommended daily intake to meet your body's calcium needs.

2. Get plenty of vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium in the body. Spend time outdoors to allow your skin to produce vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. Alternatively, incorporate vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified cereals into your diet. Incorporate foods rich in magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin K alongside calcium and vitamin D.

3. Engage in weight-bearing exercises

Regular weight-bearing exercises are key to maintaining bone density and strength. Activities like walking, running, and resistance training stimulate the bones, prompting them to adapt and become stronger. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.

4. Have a nutrition-packed diet

Proteins and vitamin K2 are vital for bone health as they contribute to the formation and repair of bone tissue. Ensure your diet includes sufficient protein and vitamin K2 from sources like lean meats, legumes, and fermented foods, and dairy products. Magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids are also crucial for bone health.

5. Avoid extremely low-calorie diets

Extreme calorie restriction can lead to nutrient deficiencies and lower bone density. Ensure your diet provides enough calories to support your body's metabolic needs and includes a variety of nutrients necessary for bone maintenance. Consult a nutritionist for guidance on maintaining a healthy balance between calorie intake and nutrient requirements.

6. Avoid excessive caffeine

While moderate caffeine intake is generally considered safe, excessive consumption can interfere with calcium absorption. Keep your caffeine intake in check and ensure it doesn't overshadow your calcium-rich diet.

7. Take collagen supplements

Collagen is the main protein found in bones. It contains the amino acids glycine, proline, and lysine, which help build bone, muscle, ligaments, and other tissues. Consider collagen supplements extracted from gelatine, which has been in use to relieve joint pain for many years.

8. Maintain a healthy body weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for bone health. Both underweight and obesity can negatively impact bone density. Strive for a balanced weight through a combination of a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

9. Stay hydrated

Proper hydration is often overlooked in the context of bone health. Water is essential for many bodily functions, including the formation of new bone cells. Ensure you stay adequately hydrated to support overall health, including that of your bones.

10. Go for regular bone density check-ups

Monitoring your bone density is a proactive approach to bone health. Regular check-ups, especially for those at higher risk of osteoporosis, can help detect any issues early on, allowing for timely intervention.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/health-and-fitness/arthritis-regular-exercises-calcium-rich-diet-and-other-habits-to-keep-your-bones-strong-and-healthy-12118401.html 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Know Causes, Symptoms And Prevention

From news18.com

The first sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis is joint pain. If an individual starts experiencing such pain then they must immediately visit the doctor for diagnosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily targets joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function. It occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks the body’s tissues. Distinguished from Osteoarthritis, which results from natural wear and tear, RA lacks definitive causes and a cure. To raise awareness about its symptoms and treatments, World Arthritis Day is observed on October 12.

                                                                               World Arthritis Day is celebrated on October 12

The initial indication of Rheumatoid Arthritis is joint pain, as outlined by Mayo Clinic. Individuals experiencing such pain should promptly seek medical attention for diagnosis. Ignoring symptoms may lead to extreme fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, it can affect joints like wrists, knees, elbows, hips and shoulders. Failure to address early symptoms may also result in complications impacting the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, skin, nerve tissue, bones and blood vessels.

Mayo Clinic reports that Rheumatoid Arthritis predominantly affects women, and those with a family history of the disease are more likely to inherit it. Overweight individuals are also at a higher risk. The treatment approach depends on the severity of the disease. Early stage diagnoses offer better treatment prospects, emphasising the importance of prevention.

Mothers who appropriately introduce milk to their infants may reduce the risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis, according to studies. Additional preventive measures include quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular exercise has also been identified as a factor that can contribute to the prevention of the disease.

To mitigate the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis, awareness campaigns like World Arthritis Day play a vital role. Encouraging timely medical intervention for symptoms, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and understanding the genetic predispositions associated with the disease are crucial steps in minimizing its prevalence. As ongoing research provides further insights into Rheumatoid Arthritis, the medical community continues to explore preventive measures and effective treatments for those affected by this autoimmune condition.

https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/rheumatoid-arthritis-know-causes-symptoms-and-prevention-8748076.html 

Can Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Your Toes?

From healthcentral.com

This chronic disease can cause pain, swelling, and damage to your distal interphalangeal joints. Here's what you can do about it 

If you’re living with psoriatic arthritis, you’re no stranger to joint pain, especially in the smaller joints in your body. Among its many pain points, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can affect your digits, causing joint aches, swelling, and permanent damage. It often affects distal interphalangeal joints (otherwise known as your toes) and can be really uncomfortable, making walking and mobility in general a challenge.

But you don’t have to take psoriatic arthritis toe pain lying down. Learn what the experts say causes it—then find out what you can do to manage the pain.

Can Psoriatic Arthritis Affect the Toes?

Even though symptoms of PsA vary from person to person, many will observe the disease in their feet. According to the Archives of Medical Science, 50% to 70% of those with psoriatic arthritis experience foot abnormalities. 

                                                                           GettyImages/Doucefleur

For example, swelling of the toes (dactylitis) occurs in more than half (65%) of people with psoriatic disease. “Some of the first signs of psoriatic arthritis may appear in the feet,” says William Spielfogel, M.D., chief of podiatry at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. In addition to being one of the first signs, toe involvement may also indicate higher disease activity and more severe joint damage, according to the Journal of Rheumatology.

What Does Psoriatic Arthritis in the Toes Feel Like?

Psoriatic arthritis can attack your feet in a variety of ways, says Dr. Spielfogel. “The toes may have a sausage-like appearance,” he says, that leads to a deep pain when pressure or weight is applied to them.

“You may also experience pain in areas where tendons attach to bones, for example in the back of the heel and/or the bottom of the heel,” he explains. If your psoriatic arthritis has gone untreated, you may experience multiple swollen joints and even structural damage that can be seen on digital imaging.

What are the First Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis in Toes?

If you suspect your toes are being impacted by your psoriatic arthritis, there are several things to be on the lookout for, according to Dr. Spielfogel:

• Pain when you bend your toes

• Pitting of toenails

• Skin plaques

• Swollen digits

• Tendon attachment pain

• Thickening or lifting of toenails

“Issues that would cause one to suspect psoriatic arthritis would be pain at tendon attachments to bone,” Dr. Spielfogel says, along with swelling and pain. Nail involvement—typically in the form of pitting, thickening and lifting of your toenails—is also an indication of early disease.

“These signs in combination with shiny, scaling plaques on the skin would indicate a suspicion of psoriatic arthritis and should be referred to a rheumatologist for a full work up,” adds Dr. Spielfogel.

Swelling (Dactylitis) in Psoriatic Arthritis

Dactylitis describes swelling or inflammation of an entire finger or toe. This is sometimes referred to as sausage-digits. Dactylitis is about three times more likely to impact the toes than the fingers. Beyond being incredibly uncomfortable, dactylitis may also indicate more severe disease.

In a 2022 study, researchers found that those who had early onset of psoriatic arthritis (before age 40) were more likely to develop dactylitis, and dactylitis has been associated with more severe radiological damage. Among those with early onset, 45% had dactylitis compared to only 8% of those developing psoriatic arthritis after the age of 40.

Of equal importance, dactylitis may provide your doctor with a host of clues about the course of your psoriatic arthritis. “Dactylitis is a unique feature and helps define the spectrum of the disease,” says Elizabeth Schulman, M.D., a rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “The presence of dactylitis certainly can help guide treatment.” Similarly, observing any changes in the toes can be an indication of disease advancement, which may help inform the treatment decisions you and your provider make.

“People tend to overlook the health of their feet in general and toes in particular—but toe involvement can raise a red flag, for sure, signifying sub-optimal treatment for psoriatic arthritis,” explains Dr. Schulman.

Hammer Toes in Psoriatic Arthritis

A hammer toe refers to a deformity in the shape of the toes. “The toe is typically contracted (bent) at the joint, thereby resembling a hammer,” Dr. Spielfogel explains. How does it happen? Each of us has a lining that covers our joints, known as synovium. This lining lubricates the joints. If the lining swells and becomes inflamed from your psoriatic arthritis, it can lead to joint destruction and weakened ligaments and tendons. These weaknesses can then cause joint deformities such as hammer toe. “Hammer toe can be associated with psoriatic arthritis, but not always a sign of it,” says Dr. Spielfogel.

How to Manage Psoriatic Arthritis Toe Symptoms

Toe involvement can be more than uncomfortable—it can make walking and standing next to impossible. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get back on your feet sooner than later. Start with these tips.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

“Working with your provider to get your disease under control is the first step in managing PsA toe involvement,” says Dr. Schulman. If you are waiting for a new treatment to work, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help to reduce symptoms, she adds.

Do Joint-Friendly Exercises

Exercising with psoriatic arthritis toe involvement can seem beyond challenging. Looping in a physical therapist can be helpful in pain reduction, joint mobility, and providing exercise ideas that don’t involve extra stress on the toes (hydrotherapy as an example).

Consider Cold Therapy

The thought of immersing your foot into an ice bath may not sound like fun. It is also not for everyone, according to the journal Pain and Therapy. However, for a certain segment of the population, cold therapy (also known as cryotherapy) has demonstrated effectiveness with swelling reduction related to rheumatic diseases.

Wear Comfortable Shoes/Orthotics

“Switching to supportive footwear can help with the mechanical stress on the feet,” says Dr. Schulman. Give your toes a little extra breathing room by wearing, at least temporarily, a shoe with a wider toe box (possibly a man’s sneaker sized for a woman, for example). This may reduce further aggravation to the toes, which can compound their already inflamed state.

Keep Your Toenails Trimmed

If psoriatic arthritis has impacted your toes, nail care is paramount. Keeping your toenails as short as possible will help prevent them from rubbing or pressing against the end of your shoes, which will apply extra pressure to your toes, making your pain worse.

When to See a Doctor

Dr. Schulman says that if there is toe involvement, this is a time to let your provider know right away. “Not only does this indicate active psoriatic arthritis, but it can also indicate other conditions such as an infection,” she says. “If your psoriatic arthritis is impacting your toes, it is important to obtain a prompt evaluation from your provider.”

Bottom line? Psoriatic arthritis can attack multiple joints all over your body. But when it strikes your toes, the pain can literally be immobilising. The sooner you see your doctor and start on treatment, the faster you’ll be able to walk pain-free.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-toes 

Understanding Pain

From creakyjoints.org

Learn about pain, its various types, and how to communicate your pain effectively to your health care provider

Pain is your nervous system signalling to you that something may be wrong. It can be a warning that something is damaged or about to be damaged. It can be sharp, dull, tingling, burning, pricking, stinging, or aching. It can be localized to one spot or all over. Or, sometimes, it can just be hard to pinpoint.  

What’s more, people experience pain differently. What is excruciating for some may be mild for others. Beyond the physical burden, pain can impact your quality of life and make you avoid being with other people. It can keep you in your house — or in your bed. Pain can impact your emotional well-being. Pain can make it hard to live. 

A study based on a national survey found that the most common areas of pain for adults were the back, hip, knees, and feet. People surveyed reported limitations in daily functioning, including social activities and activities of daily living. They also reported significantly more workdays missed compared with those without chronic pain.  

A 2019 review said chronic pain is an epidemic for older adults, and has become a risk factor for premature death and accelerated cognitive decline. Pain does not only affect the old. A 2022 global study published in the journal Pain, found that one in every nine people between ages 15 and 34 years experience chronic pain. 

It’s important to talk to your doctor about your pain. It can be an important clue to something going wrong with your body that needs to be fixed. For 50 million U.S. adults, chronic pain is a daily occurrence, according to the National Institutes of Health.  

                                                                                                  Credit: Tatiana Ayazo

Types of Pain

Understanding pain requires knowing its source. “Everybody perceives pain as a warning sign,” says Dr. James Wyss, MD, PT, a physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.  

For that reason, it’s important to get to the bottom of your pain. If you know the source of your pain, you will know if you need to heed it or push past it, says Dr. Wyss. “Is it your body’s way of telling you there is something more serious going on,” he says. 

Pain can be categorised by where it is located, and can be grouped as inflammatory versus mechanical or focal versus systemic. Pain can be experienced bilaterally (both sides). Pain can also be categorized by its severity or duration, such as acute versus chronic pain. Fibromyalgia carries with it its own unique form of pain. Neuropathic pain happens when your nervous system is damaged.  

Whatever type of pain you are suffering from, it’s important to know where it is coming from so you can get the right medical treatment.  

Inflammatory vs. Mechanical Pain

There are two kinds of inflammatory pain. It can be the increased sensitivity that occurs when there is an inflammatory response as a result of tissue damage. Another type of inflammatory pain is the result of disease, often, but not always, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. Inflammatory pain can have the following attributes: 

• Lasts more than three months (chronic) 
• Causes heat, swelling, and loss of function 
• Causes joint pain and stiffness after long periods of rest 
• Appears in “flares” with intense symptoms alternating with periods of remission 
• Feels like a gnawing, throbbing deep pain

Conditions that can cause inflammatory pain include: 

• Ankylosing spondylitis 
• Gout 
• Inflammatory bowel disease 
• Lyme disease 
• Lupus 
• Polymyalgia rheumatica 
• Psoriatic arthritis 
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

Another feature of inflammatory pain is that it can intensify without reason, says Dr. Wyss. For example, in psoriatic arthritis, the pain you have been experiencing can ramp up without any connection to activity or lifestyle habits, he says. Another example is gout, where there can be a sudden spike in pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. 

Mechanical pain can be anywhere but is often associated with the back and is the result of stress on the discs, ligaments, muscles, or nerves. Some attributes of mechanical pain include: 

• Acute 
• Linked to an injury, body weight, or degenerative process like aging 
• Sudden onset 
• Does not improve with movement 

Types of mechanical pain can include: 

• Degenerative disc disease 
• Spinal stenosis 
• Herniated disc 
• Fracture 
• Severe scoliosis 
• Osteoarthritis 

It’s important to identify which kind of pain you have in order to get the most effective treatment.  

To help distinguish whether you have mechanical or inflammatory pain, your doctor may ask questions like: 

• How long have you been experiencing pain? 
• Does your family have a history of inflammatory arthritis? 
• When did the pain start? 
• Is the pain worse in the morning? 

Mechanical pain can be treated with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), ice and heat applications, and physical therapy. Dr. Wyss says the rest needed for mechanical pain is a relative rest, not an absolute rest. “You still need movement, but modified or you will have the risk of the joints becoming stiff or muscle atrophying, which will make it more difficult to recover.”

If your pain is due to an inflammatory response, there are medications to treat the underlying condition. However, a 2022 study in the journal Neuron has found that chronic pain can remain, even after the inflammation is treated. Over the counter NSAIDS can be used for daily pain management. Corticosteroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are some of the many options to treat the inflammation and disease. 

Focal vs. Systemic Pain 

Focal pain is pain that is localized in one area, usually caused by trauma or injury. You should be able to put your finger on it, says Dr. Wyss. Systemic muscle pain is widespread body pain that is caused by illness, infection or a reaction to a medication. All the inflammatory diseases would fall under systemic pain plus bacterial or viral infections such as Lyme disease, COVID-19, and hepatitis, to name a few. 

“An example of systemic pain would be waking up in the morning and your whole body is stiff and it takes two or three hours to get moving,” Dr. Wyss says. “As opposed to waking up in the morning and feeling some stiffness in your knee.”  

Bilateral Pain

Bilateral pain is pain that affects both sides of the body. Because you feel it on both your right and left sides, the pain can be more intense and affect mobility. Swelling and stiffness can be additional symptoms. Bilateral pain is often associated with inflammatory illness, as opposed to mechanical pain that targets one area.  

With the exception of osteoarthritis, the inflammatory conditions that cause bilateral pain are autoimmune diseases, which means the immune system malfunctions and begins attacking itself, causing inflammation. 

Certain conditions are associated with bilateral pain, but they can sometimes present as unilateral pain as well. The bilateral pain can affect different areas of the body.   

These conditions include:  

• Fibromyalgia affects tender points throughout the body. 
• Osteoarthritis is less commonly bilateral and affects knees, hips, hands, and feet. 
• Polymyalgia rheumatica affects shoulders, upper arms, neck, and pelvis. 
• Psoriatic arthritis affects knees, ankles, hands, and feet. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis affects hands, wrists, knees, or hips. 

It’s important to identify the cause of your bilateral pain because, if left untreated, some of these conditions — namely, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis — can lead to permanent joint damage.  

Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. People with fibromyalgia have a heightened sensitivity to pain. There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are medications that can treat the symptoms. Anyone can get fibromyalgia, although it tends to affect more women and people over 40. Fibromyalgia is associated with other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic widespread pain throughout the body, often in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. It is described as aching, burning, throbbing or stabbing.  

Other symptoms may include: 

• Fatigue 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Muscle and joint stiffness 
• Tenderness to the touch 
• Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs 
• Problems concentrating 
• Sensitivity to light, noise, odours and temperature 
• Bloating or constipation 

The central feature of fibromyalgia pain is that it occurs in multiple sites. It is also known for causing tender points that make people with fibromyalgia more sensitive to touch than people without it. The penny-sized tender points are specific areas of pain — often located symmetrically — that are not the joints and that can hurt with even the touch of a finger.  

There are 18 tender points in all and they include: 

• Lower neck in front 
• Edge of upper breast 
• Arm near the elbow 
• Knee 
• Base of the skull in the back of the head 
• Hip bone 
• Upper outer buttock 
• Back of the neck 
• Back of the shoulders 

If left untreated, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can become increasingly worse and the pain can become excruciating, impacting your emotional well-being. If you are experiencing tender points throughout your body, discuss your symptoms with your doctor to get a diagnosis and devise a treatment plan. 

Acute vs. Chronic Pain 

An acute pain can come on suddenly and may last a few days or a few weeks, but will generally resolve itself  in less than three months. It can feel sharp, throbbing, tingling, burning, or numb. It is most often intense and is caused by something specific, such as illness, injury, or surgery. Acute pain is protective because it is your body telling you something is wrong and the painful area needs attention.   

Examples of acute pain are: 

• Bone break or bone fracture 
• Muscle sprain or tear 
• Surgery 
• Burns and cuts

Chronic pain develops slowly and may get worse over a longer period of time — months or years. It varies in intensity and can be intermittent, depending on the reason for the pain. It can be an aching, burning, or shooting pain. Chronic pain impacts every aspect of daily life and is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.  

Here are several conditions linked to chronic pain and what the pain may feel like. However, keep in mind that people can experience pain differently.  

• Ankylosing spondylitis: ongoing, deep, dull back pain 
• Fibromyalgia: aching all over, muscle discomfort, twitching sensations 
• Inflammatory bowel disease: cramping, burning, stabbing, aching in abdominal area 
• Lower back pain: tingling, burning, dull, achy, sharp, radiating 
• Osteoarthritis: joint swelling, tenderness, stiffness, “crunching” feeling 
• Psoriatic arthritis: worse in the morning, tender, throbbing joints 
• Rheumatoid arthritis: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, stiffness, and swelling in joints

The importance of reporting any pain that lasts longer than three months is critical for getting treatment if you have a chronic disease. If left untreated, some diseases can cause permanent damage to joints. 

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or disease in the somatic nervous system. People with neuropathic pain make up 25 percent of people with chronic pain, according to a 2019 study. The somatic nervous system is made up of the network of neurons that help you feel objects and textures and give you sensory motor feedback.  

With neuropathic pain, messages of pain, pressure, movement, or temperature from the nerves to the brain become altered. Neuropathic pain is less sharp, often described as burning, tingling, or electric. 

The most common causes of neuropathic pain come from: 

• Diabetes — high blood sugar injures nerves and causes tingling or burning that starts in the feet and can travel up the leg causing eventual loss of sensation 
• Chemotherapy treatment — some cancer treatments can cause a tingling sensitivity or numbness and weakness in the extremities, typically the hands and feet, that sometimes goes away when the treatment is finished 
• Human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) — burning, stiffness, tingling, or prickling in the toes or soles of the feet in people with advanced HIV 
• Multiple sclerosis — ranges from minor irritations to intensely sharp, burning 

In the case of diabetes and HIV, there is no cure for neuropathic pain, but treating the respective diseases it is associated with can slow down its progression.  

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Pain

The way you articulate your pain to your health care provider can significantly influence their understanding of the type of pain you’re experiencing and guide them in recommending the right treatment. 

Dr. Wyss emphasizes the importance of being proactive in your health care by asking questions. He suggests that patients should feel empowered to ask their doctor how they determine the nature of their pain. “For example, If I’m being told I have joint, muscle or nerve pain, I would ask how they know,” he says. 

Some other questions you can ask your doctor about different types of pain to help pinpoint the problem can be: 

• If my pain is a shooting or burning sensation is it because of nerve pain? 
• When I feel a stiffness or tenderness in my joints is it linked to a type of arthritis? 
• What does a deep, throbbing pain mean? 
• Why has my pain lasted more than three months? 
• Why do I feel more pain in the morning? 
• What does it mean if my pain spreads from my back to my thighs and buttocks? 

Communicating your experience of pain can be a clue in identifying the reason for your pain and seeking out the right treatment. 

https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/understanding-pain/