Arthritis Pain Tied to Emotions

Arthritis pain is processed in the brain by a network of structures called the "pain matrix". There are two parallel systems in the pain matrix, the medial pain system which processes emotional aspects of pain (e.g. fear, stress) and the lateral system which processes physical aspects (e.g. intensity of pain, location of pain, duration). Researchers at the University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Centre in the United Kingdom studied arthritis pain versus experimental pain.

According to study results published in the April 2007 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the study focused on 12 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Study participants had PET scans (positron emission tomography) under three circumstances: arthritic knee pain, experimental pain achieved by applying heat, and pain-free. The brain responses were evaluated and analyzed.

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Interestingly, both arthritis pain and experimental pain activated the entire pain matrix. With arthritis pain though, there was increased activity in the medial pain system indicating that there is more of an emotional impact with arthritis pain. Researchers also noted that there was increased activity in areas of the brain associated with paying attention which may be indicative of arthritis patients concentrating on coping strategies. Larger studies are needed to learn more about the connection between arthritis pain and the medial pain system, as well as the effects of mind-based pain management techniques such as guided imagery, meditation, and other modes of relaxation.

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