More Pain For Obese People

Obese people appear to be more sensitive to pain than people who aren't carrying extra pounds, according to a study of older adults suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Researchers at Ohio State University recruited 62 older adults, all suffering from the painful degenerative joint disease in their knees.

The participants were given a mild electrical shock on their left ankles to measure pain reflex. The stimulus was given before and after the participants took part in a 45-minute training session on how to cope with pain, including a progressive muscle relaxation exercise.

The obese patients were a third of the study group. They showed a greater physical response to the electrical stimulation than the average weight patients before and after the training session.

Pain response was measured by noting the reflex of lower leg muscles that surround a nerve that runs along the ankle and into the calf. Their reactions indicated the obese patients had a lower tolerance for pain, despite their saying they had a high threshold for pain.