Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. However, it is often used in reference to the 100+ different rheumatoid diseases, which can easily cause pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints. These diseases may have affects on other parts of the body as well. It's not surprising to hear about supporting structures such as bones, muscles, ligaments as well as tendons and some internal organs feeling the burn so to speak.

The majority of the different forms of arthritis can be split into two groups: acute and chronic. When dealing with acute pain, the amount of time it lasts can range from seconds or longer. However, as time goes on the amount and frequency of the pain diminishes and could completely go away.

Chronic pain is somewhat of a different story. This type of pain ranges from mild to severe, but also can last anywhere from weeks to years, or even a lifetime. In the United State, chronic pain is one of the major health conditions patients deal with, as well as being one of the most weakening aspects of arthritis. Chronic pain also falls into the category of most limiting aspects of daily activity.

There are different reasons why pain and arthritis can come hand in hand. Some of these reasons include inflammation of the tissue lining the joints, tendons or ligaments; fatigue and/or muscle strain. The number of these factors you are dealing with also relate to the severity of any pain you may experience.

Physicians see their share of patients trying to cope with pain resulting from arthritis. They must at some point come up with a clearly defined plan for the patient in question, with different steps to help them deal with their own personal experiences with this debilitating disease. But before they can do this effectively, there must be some sort of measuring of the pain threshold for each patient.

Describing Arthritis Pain

Not visible under any type of test, the tolerance to pain is completely dependent upon each patient's own experience. The best way for your doctor to get a clearer idea regarding your particular pain, he or she may ask where your pain is on a scale of 1 to 10, in addition to asking to you describe certain sensations you feel. These may be words like throbbing, burning or aching. With this combined information your doctor becomes closer to having a clear picture of the level of pain you are experiencing.

There may be recommendations for certain tests and visits to specialists to assist in your diagnosis and treatment plan. From surgeons to physical and occupational therapists, there may be a long list of people who will be involved in your present health situation. They will all work together to help treat all the different aspects of your arthritis pain, involving you as much as possible.

After the results and recommendations are reviewed, your doctor will share not only the findings but an approach to managing your pain with you. This could include short-term use of medications, alternating hot and cold packs, ibuprophen, joint massage and even joint protection such as splints or braces to allow not only for rest of the areas which are bothering you, but also to provide protection from further injury.

Coping With Arthritis Pain

Coping with arthritis doesn't necessarily mean an abundance of medications. Some other strategies which work very well are healthy diets, adequate sleep every night, and joining a support or exercise group for people with arthritis. Sometimes knowing you aren't alone in this struggle is just what the doctor ordered.