Article: Arthritis & Pain

Pain is something that everyone needs to deal with since it is a fact of life.

But for many people, pain takes on a very dramatic meaning, especially when the pain comes from a condition called arthritis. Arthritis can affect the entire body and inflicts pain on the bones, tendons, and muscles. To alleviate the pain, some people have resorted to the use of arthritis pain relief medications or natural pain relief techniques. On the other hand, some individuals have a higher pain tolerance or pain threshold and do not need to take medication to stop arthritic pain.

Medically speaking, pain tolerance refers to just how much pain a person can withstand before breaking down emotionally or psychologically. In some cases, it may also refer to how much pain a person can endure before passing out. However, some people afflicted with arthritis claim that pain tolerance may also refer to the body and mind’s ability to incorporate or endure pain on a daily basis and, thereby negating pain as a hindrance. It is very interesting that pain tolerance can be actually developed by training the mind and the body to “ignore” pain. However, the use of the term “ignore” might be a misnomer in this case. Patients who refuse to take arthritis pain relief medications attest that those who have pain tolerance don’t so much as ignore pain as they do simply “live with it.” The idea is that people with a high level of pain tolerance have developed a threshold that can be similar to people with alcohol tolerance. Other people can drink a lot without getting drunk. Some people can take pain more frequently and at higher levels compared to others. 

Pain tolerance is still the subject of much debate in scientific circles. There are many patients who claim that it is real and that they can actually demonstrate their ability to withstand pain. On the other hand, people who have taken arthritis pain relief medications claim that the drugs can dull the mind’s ability to drown out the sensation of pain. They further claim that the dulling sensation also prevents them from performing other daily tasks. However, despite reported side effects, most prefer to stick to using arthritis pain relief medication. For one thing, most people would rather not have to spend the time needed to grow accustomed to the pain. Another obvious reason is that not everyone can develop a high tolerance for pain. In some ways, pain tolerance is affected by a person’s psychology and outlook. Deciding who needs to take drugs to control arthritis is an important task for a pain control specialist or doctor. Since a person’s state of mind determines how much a person can mentally handle before breaking down, a doctor cannot simply decide if medication is needed without a thorough consultation. In addition, there is also the possibility of developing drug dependence due to long-term use of arthritis pain relief. Whether patients can develop pain tolerance when taken off arthritis pain relief treatments is arguable, at best. Not everyone has the same threshold of pain as those who don’t take the medication, and others may simply be capable of enduring more pain. Other determinants such as physical conditioning, psychological state, and other physiological factors also have an effect on the development of pain tolerance.

Other individuals suffering from pain may prefer natural pain relief techniques. Flotation therapy, which is a fairly recent pain management method, is often referred to as the restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST). REST is a method that takes place in a flotation tank. This is a great way to reduce joint pain and relax the body. REST helps the body relax both during the flotation session as well as afterwards. During flotation-REST a person lies horizontally in a quiet, light-insulated tank, filled with Epsom salt and saturated water. The tank includes an easy to open lid, allowing users to regulate the amount of time they spend within the tank (a typical session is 45 minutes), and also includes an underwater lamp that can be turned on and off by users.

Arthritis and the pain it causes can be a debilitating and detrimental disease to for individuals and their loved ones to cope with.

At TrueREST, we strive to reduce stress and joint pain and increase relaxation through the innovative method of flotation therapy. In today’s day and age people are going nonstop, which doesn’t allow them to relax and greatly increases stress. We provide quality therapy to Scottsdale, AZ and the surrounding communities. Visit our about us page, call us for information at 480-389-0853, or stop by at 15033 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, D101, Scottsdale, AZ to help you live a relaxing, stress-free life.