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Home >> Arthritis 

Pain Control/Management

Pain Control

Pain is a problem shared by most people with arthritis. Each person's experience of pain is unique and quite personal. By recognising the multiple factors that contribute to the experience of pain, it is possible to find different techniques to help manage the pain.

Some of these factors include:

  • Inflammation and damage in or around the joints and surrounding tissues.
  • Muscle tension.
  • Weakening of muscle tone.
  • Lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep.
  • Stress, anxiety and depression.

Pain Management Techniques Include:

  • Correct medication.
  • Relaxation exercises.
  • Breathing exercises.
  • Mindfulness meditation.
  • Distraction getting your mind to focus on something else (for short-term pain).
  • Joining a support group.
  • Talking to a pain management therapist.
  • Gentle exercising such as yoga or low impact aerobics.
  • Massage.
  • Heat and cold.

Click here to download an 'Arthritis Action Pain Diary'. It will allow you and your doctor to monitor and control your muscle, joint, back and/or neck pain.

Choosing a Pain Reliever

Choosing the right pain reliever can seem confusing. There are a lot of treatments to choose from. Each medicine has possible benefits and risks to weigh. Not all of them may be right for you.

The best way to find joint pain relief is to talk with your doctor/pharmacist and learn about all of your options. It is important to understand possible benefits and risks of all the different arthritis medicines so that you and your doctor can make the choice that is right for you.

Understanding the Benefits and Risks

People take medicines because they want a beneficial result, such as relief from pain in an arthritic joint. Medicines can also cause negative effects in addition to the intended, or beneficial, effect. These unwanted effects of medicines are called side effects.

All medicines have risks of side effects. No medicine, not even the ones bought over the counter, are entirely risk-free. Some side effects can be serious enough to require medical attention, while others may be mild. Your doctor/pharmacist can alert you to possible side effects and how long they may last. Depending on factors like personal health and family history, your risk of side effects from different medicines can vary. That is why it is so important to talk to your doctor about which treatment option is right for you.

It is important to always follow your recommended dosing when taking pain medicines. Taking too much can cause serious health problems and can increase your risk for side effects. You can find out about drug side effects by reading the medication's package insert or prescribing information, sometimes referred to as "important product information" and by talking to your doctor / pharmacist.

Working with your Doctor /Pharmacist

Talking with your doctor/pharmacist about your pain is the first step in finding relief. You can help your doctor/pharmacist by openly and honestly describing your symptoms.

Discussing Treatment

You should take an active role in the conversation about which treatment will be best for you. Dont be afraid to ask questions when talking with your doctor/pharmacist. Its good to find out as much as you can about any medicine before taking it.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor/pharmacist when discussing your treatment plan:

  • What are the benefits of my different treatment options?
  • What are the risks?
  • Which of my symptoms will be relieved?
  • How long does the pain relief of each option last?
  • Will this be a long-term solution?
  • With medication, how many times each day would I have to take a dose?
  • Am I at a higher risk for medication side effects because of my medical or family history?
  • Do all NSAIDs have the same effect on the stomach?
  • How do I know if I am at risk of stomach bleeding?
  • How would I know if I have had internal bleeding?
  • Does GI bleeding apply just to people taking very high doses over a long period of time?
  • How do I know if I am at risk of heart attack or stroke?
  • What lifestyle or dietary changes could I make to help ease the pain?
  • How often should I review my treatment regime?


Tips For Visiting Your Doctor/Pharmacist And Making The Most Out Of The Consultation:

When discussing pain:

  • Use expressive words to describe your pain in order to be more precise i.e. stabbing/dull
    ache/pressure
  • Know your symptoms and practise communicating how you feel

When discussing potential side effects:

  • Ask your doctor to classify how likely a side effect is to occur and put them into risk categories:

Prepare in advance:

  • Write down your concerns and questions
  • Note any changes since your last visit

When choosing / taking a new treatment:

  • Know your goals what do you want to achieve from treatment (e.g. to be able to walk for 2 hours a day)
  • Explain activities that you currently find difficult (e.g. washing hair / writing)
  • Discuss how often to take the medication/any interactions with other medicines you may be taking
  • Let your doctor know how much information you want, e.g. detailed diagrams or topline information.

Dont be afraid to:

  • Take notes! this will help you to remember details and remain in control of your treatment
  • Repeat details back to your doctor/pharmacist at the end of the session to ensure you have understood correctly.

This quick guide is supported by Pfizer.