Pain is a common, though often overlooked non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). There are several types of pain associated with physical changes caused by PD. Since the majority of people diagnosed with PD are over the age of 65, it can be difficult to distinguish which pain is PD-related and which are age-related. Here are some resources to understand how pain may manifest in those with PD, and ways to cope with it.
Short Overviews
Ask the MD: Pain and Parkinson’s Disease
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, February 22, 2017
There are many potential causes of pain in Parkinson’s disease. This page highlights eight of them, what makes pain worse, and multiple daily approaches to pain management.
Is Pain a Symptom of Parkinson’s Disease?
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, August 27, 2019
This blog post, written by movement disorder specialist Dr. Rebecca Gilbert identifies four types of pain in Parkinson’s disease and discusses seven pain management options.
Pain
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This webpage discusses various physical changes caused by Parkinson's disease, surgeries, aging that may cause pain, as well as medical therapies to relieve rigidity and muscle contractions that contribute to changes in posture, and tips for maintaining healthy bones.
Pain in Parkinson’s
Published by Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom, June 2020
This 16-page information sheet describes the types of pain associated with PD and looks at how they can be managed.
Tips for dealing with Chronic Pain
By Maria De León, MD. Published by defeatparkinsons.com, March 4, 2016
Chronic pain is pain that last more than three to six months (some say 12 months), or “pain that extends behind the expected period of healing.” This blog post explains the different types of pain caused by Parkinson’s disease and how to address pain brought on by the disease, by medications, or by comorbid disease. It is always best to treat pain before it becomes chronic.
Specialist Talks
Dystonia and Pain Management for Parkinson's
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, November 24, 2021
Movement disorder specialist Alfonso Fasano, MD, PhD, outlines how to tease apart whether pain is a symptom of PD or due to an orthopedic issue. He explains how to approach the treatment of pain in concert with your medical team, going over several treatment options. Finally, Dr. Fasano focuses on causes of and treatments for dystonia and dyskinesias. After a 40-minute talk he spends 30 minutes answering questions.
Managing Pain in Parkinson's
By Davis Phinney Foundation, March 2, 2022
In this 45-minute webinar movement disorder specialist Jori Fleisher, MD, emphasizes the realness of pain in Parkinson's explaining the causes of pain in Parkinson's as well as how to talk to your doctor about your pain and additional medical and non-medical management strategies.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Pain and Parkinson’s
By Davis Phinney Foundation, April 6, 2020
This 50-minute webinar discusses the prevalence of pain in those with PD, the structure of the pain pathway, different types of pain experienced in PD, what causes pain in early stages, how it may change as PD progresses, how pain impacts mental health, how to talk to your doctor about pain, different treatments for different types of pain (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic), and what you can do every day to manage pain.
Webinar notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Pain in Parkinson's
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, June 15, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, pain specialist and anesthesiologist Brenda Lau, MD, discusses common types and causes of Parkinson’s-related pain, as well as strategies for self-managing pain. This presentation also offers tips on how people with Parkinson's can change their mindset about their pain to reduce its intensity.
Twist and Shout - Pain and Cramping in PD
By PMD Alliance, October 11, 2021
In this 75-minute webinar webinar, movement disorder specialist Johan Samanta, MD, talks about pain and answers listener questions. He shares what makes pain worse and better for those with PD and how to treat pain, whether the cause is due to Parkinson's (PD) or aging.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
What a Pain! Understanding and treating pain in PD
By American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Northwest Chapter, May 8, 2020
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorder specialist Dr. Pravin Khemani discusses causes of pain in PD and treatment strategies for pain in PD or from other causes.
Webinar notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Dystonia and Musculoskeletal Pain
How to Deal with the 6 Common Causes of Leg pain in PD?
By Maria De León, MD. Published by defeatparkinsons.com, August 24, 2015
Severe leg pain is a common complaint from people with PD. Lately, it is understood that central pain is common to Parkinson’s disease, and can even be the first sign of PD, usually bilaterally. This blog post lists six causes of lower limb pain, and the importance of treating it. Treatments depend on properly identifying the source of pain. Some treatment suggestions are included.
My Parkinson's Story: Pain
By Veteran's Health Administration
This 10-minute video alternates between an interview with a man and doctors. The man shares his experience with pain as a symptom of Parkinson's disease. The doctors explain that pain is common in Parkinson's disease, often due to rigidity or dystonia, which can be exacerbated by "off" periods. Pain caused by Parkinson's symptoms can be relieved by Parkinson's medications, exercise, DBS and botox injections. Pain is an invisible symptom that should be mentioned to your neurologist.
Neuropathy
Exploring Non-Motor Symptoms: Neuropathy, Fatigue, GI Issues
By Parkinson's Foundation, March 9, 2021
This one-hour webinar discusses neuropathy, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues and how they may relate to medications, Parkinson’s disease, and/or aging. Evidence-based treatments for these non-motor symptoms are addressed as well.
Peripheral Neuropathy and Parkinson's Disease
By Rebecca Gilbert, MD. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, October 20, 2020
This brief, clearly written article reviews the nervous systems of the human body and defines peripheral neuropathy (PN), its symptoms, and the prevalence of PN in those with Parkinson's Disease. The author notes it's essential to determine the cause of PN to know the most appropriate treatment.
Women and Pain
Pain in Parkinson’s Disease: A Spotlight on Women
By Kristin Della Volpe. Published by Practical Pain Management, May 16, 2017
This two-page interview with neurologist Dr. Jori E. Fleisher discusses pain in Parkinson’s disease, with some interesting statistics about women and pain. Dr. Fleisher outlines the four primary types of pain in PD, how depression interferes with pain management, the role of exercise and medications in pain management, as well as alternative therapies.
General Pain Resources
Living Well with Chronic Pain and Illness
By Davis Phinney Foundation, March 16, 2021
Author Toni Bernhard was diagnosed 20 years ago with myalgic encephalomyelitis. In this one-hour interview she shares what she's learned about living with chronic pain and illness and how to live well no matter what obstacles you are facing.
Opening the Medicine Box in the Mind: The Psychology of Pain
By Stanford Health Library, November 5, 2015
In this 50-minute lecture, Beth Darnall, PhD explains how our experience of pain goes beyond the physical sensation of pain. It has emotional and psychological components that affect our ability to treat pain. She cites research to demonstrate that and shares 13 specific tips to reduce the experience of pain and increase treatment effectiveness. Audience questions follow the lecture.
Expert-Level Resources
Managing Pain in Parkinson's
By Rachel Brunner, PharmD, and Amanda Gerberich, PharmD, BCPS. Published by Practical Pain Management, January 22, 2021
This article summarizes the incidence, types, and causes of reported pain in Parkinson's Disease (PD). A table of recommendations on how to involve patients with Parkinson's in their own pain management is provided, along with approaches to pain assessment. Finally, there is a discussion of pain management principles in PD, including optimization of dopaminergic medications, use of analgesics, and innovative treatments for pain management (botulinum toxin and cannabinoids).
Last updated August 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.