Pain is one of the most common and debilitating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Personalised, coordinated, and compassionate care is key to living better despite Parkinson’s pain.

What types of pain are associated with Parkinson’s?

Pain is a common but often overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s. Understanding it is the first step to managing it and living well.
Pain is a common but often overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s. Understanding it is the first step to managing it and living well.

Types of pain associated with Parkinson’s include muscle pain, dystonia, radicular (shooting) pain and neuropathy. Unexplained pain is a common symptom in young onset, starting with the shoulder, elbow or hip. Musculoskeletal (muscle) pain is common and related to Parkinson’s rigidity and reduced joint movement. It often feels like an ache in the neck and back but can affect any body part.

  • Dystonia spasms can be severe and impact areas like toes, fingers, ankles, or wrists.
  • Radicular (shooting) pain is sharp, shock-like pain that travels down the arm or leg.
  • Tingling and numbness are also common.
  • Peripheral neuropathy may also cause burning sensations or tingling.

What types of treatments are available for Parkinson’s pain?

Treatment options for pain are limited, but minimising “off” periods, painkillers and gentle physical activity can go a long way to help ease this bothersome symptom. Looking further, medication adjustments, behaviour change techniques, pain education, relaxation methods, and complementary therapies like acupuncture, are also used to manage pain. Deep brain stimulation alleviated certain pain types (dystonic and central), while not others (musculoskeletal).

Top tips for pain management include:

  • Staying mobile: Gentle movement like walking or stretching can ease stiffness.
  • Tracking your symptoms: Keeping a pain diary helps your care team tailor treatment.
  • Prioritising sleep hygiene: Good rest can reduce pain sensitivity and improve mood.
  • Connecting with others: Support groups and Parkinson’s organisations offer community and coping strategies.

Key Statistics

  • In Australia, more than 65,000 people with Parkinson’s disease experience persistent pain.
  • Pain is also one of the earliest symptoms of PD, sometimes present at the preclinical stage, and is prominent on the side of the body that was initially or more severely affected by the motor impairment.
  • Perceptions of pain care are influenced by a healthcare provider’s ability to address both the emotional and physical needs of PD patients.
  • Pain is often underestimated and under-treated, despite having a significant impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL).

How do I access support?

It’s advisable to explore all available pathways to find the support that best suits your individual needs. Look to:

  • getting a GP referral to someone with Parkinson‘s experience
  • your state-based Parkinson’s organisation for advice on local services to access
  • private health to see what is covered in relation to consultations and expenses
  • DVA, NDIS or My Aged Care plan supports.

Infosheet under review

References

Cattaneo, C., & Jost, W. H. (2023). Pain in Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology, classification and treatment. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 22(5), 132.

Mezzini, A., Kumar, S., Sharrad, S., Harmon, J., & Eckert, M. (2025). Factors Influencing Pain Management Practices in People With Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Parkinson’s disease, 2025, 1231126. https://doi.org/10.1155/padi/1231126

Mezzini, A., Kumar, S., Sharrad, S., Harmon, J., & Eckert, M. C. (2025). Perceptions of the Provision of Pain Care Services from the Perspective of People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare, 18, 4871–4881. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S520090

Mylius, V., Möller, J. C., Bohlhalter, S., Ciampi de Andrade, D., & Perez Lloret, S. (2021). Diagnosis and management of pain in Parkinson’s disease: a new approach. Drugs & aging, 38(7), 559-577

Qureshi, A. R., Jamal, M. K., Rahman, E., Paul, D. A., Oghli, Y. S., Mulaffer, M. T., … & Rana, A. Q. (2021). Non‐pharmacological therapies for pain management in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 144(2), 115-131.

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