FRIDAY, Dec. 2, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Experts delve deep into the origins and treatment of pain linked to rheumatoid arthritis in an article in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
"Rheumatologists are increasingly required to address pain as a specific symptom. Pain management is no longer simply a quick fix with a single pill, but rather an approach to the patient as a whole biophysical being," lead author Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles of Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, said in a prepared statement.
"There is no gold standard regarding the ideal management of chronic pain in rheumatic disease. Ideal pain management should encompass a wide range of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions," she said.
The article offers a review of complementary treatments for pain in people with RA:
"Rheumatologists will need to become familiar and comfortable with the use of newly developed strategies for pain management to ensure optimal treatment. Improved function and rehabilitation, and not simply palliation, should be the main goal of pain management in rheumatologic practice," Fitzcharles concluded.
More information
The Arthritis Foundation has more about RA.