Now for the science behind this scenario. The place where two bones meet is called the joint- the bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristle.

This cartilage is sturdy, elastic, spongy and compressible, and keeps the bones from rubbing against each other at the joint. The cells of this cartilage, called chondrocytes, are thought to be the longest living cells of the body. Surrounding the bones and cartilage is strong, fibrous capsule lined with synovium, a thin membrane that lubricates the joint area with fluid. The end result is less friction or smoother rubbing together of the bones. This fluid also feeds the cartilage cells, keeping them healthy, and is “pumped” into them during joint movement. Thus lack of movement (activity / exercise) can be unhealthy.

Other parts of the body involved with this arthritic scenario include muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursea and mental activity. Muscles, attached to bones with tendons and ligaments, move bones by contracting. They also cushion movement, absorbing impact or shock. Throughout the muscle and tendon areas are bursae or sacs filled with fluid. These also help cushion movement. And all the coordination of these parts during movement, are controlled by the brain. The brain communicates via nerves throughout the body, in particular the muscles, to prepare joints for activity.

The exact science of what actually causes arthritis is still being researched. For most of the 100-plus forms of arthritis, the causes are unknown. Injury, overuse of joints and mechanical issues with joints (such as skeletal abnormalities, worn out joint muscles etc) can lead to arthritis. Issues relating to bacteria and germs are also thought to have some link to arthritis. Heredity, stress, drugs, food allergies and viruses have also been linked to some forms of arthritis, as have diet, poor circulation and lack of movement.

Arthritic joints can be affected with inflammation when bacteria or a virus (or other undesirable element) enters the joint area or when an injury occurs. When foreign matter enters this area, or the area sustains injury, white blood cells, antibodies and other natural “fighting” mechanisms automatically kick in internally to help. These fighters cause swelling, redness and heat as the body fluid moves around. The symptoms of this inflammation, one of the uncomfortable issues associated with arthritis, are redness, swelling and tender joints.

But for many people, pain takes on a very dramatic meaning, especially when the pain comes from a condition such as arthritis. Arthritis can affect the entire body and causes pain to the bones, tendons and muscles. Some people have resorted to the use of arthritis pain relief medications in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Others have a higher pain tolerance or pain threshold and do not necessarily 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 without it severely impacting on their daily routines. Interestingly, 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 simply “live with it.” The idea is that people with a high level of pain tolerance have developed a threshold that can be compared to people with a high alcohol tolerance; some people can drink a lot without actually getting drunk. Some people can naturally cope with pain that is more frequent and at higher levels than other people.

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 many 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 he or she 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 capacity for the same threshold of pain as those who don’t take medication. The choice to take medication or not is not the only factor to be considered. Other determinants such as physical conditioning, psychological state, and other physiological factors also have an effect on the development of pain tolerance.