The pain associated with Parkinson’s disease can have many origins.
The poor postures associated with Parkinson’s disease, such as the forward bending of the spine, or osteoarthritis, cause compression of the peripheral nerves going to the leg. The pain is most often localized in the buttock, the front side of the leg below the knee, or in the back. The pain is felt as burning, throbbing, or like a stab. It may be accompanied by tingling or numbness. These compressions of the nerves can also affect the neck, arms and fingers. Aging and Parkinson’s disease also contribute to the development of these pains.
The degeneration of areas in the brain also causes pain which is more often diffuse and perceived as a burning, cold, or itching sensation. These pains can affect a limb, part of the body or the face, without specific limits. These pains are like hallucinations. They are fabrications of the brain, but extremely painful.
Sometimes, the pain is visceral in origin. They seem to be associated with poor functioning of internal organs. These could be, for example, abdominal spasms, feelings of respiratory blockage, or pain in the mouth. These pains are common in people who have disturbances such as orthostatic hypotension, urinary problems or constipation.
Musculoskeletal pain affects, as the name suggests, bones, muscles and tendons. They are felt as sensations of stiffness, cramps, spasms of muscle tension occurring most often in the morning.
Dystonia is an abnormal twisting of a part of the body leading to its deformation, abnormal postures, and severe pain. It mainly affects the neck, the hands, the foot and the spine. Dystonia of the foot that occurs in the morning is particularly painful.