A little more from my pain studies… Events at the end… including some FREE pain ones!

• Pain draws our attention to a body part that needs protection

Modern pain science indicates that pain is not about detection of injury, but about protection against possible future threat.  When information from the body (all the senses) comes to the brain, pain is a response that alerts us that we need to be attentive and protect that area of the body.  You can evidence this now by pinching your earlobe… give it a good squeeze … lots of pain right, but not damage!

 

Let me tell you a (true) story which I love to tell...

 

A worker on a construction site jumped down off a beam and landed on an upturned 7 inch nail that protruded up through his boot. He was in agony and an ambulance was called to take him to hospital. There, a surprise was revealed - when his boot was removed it was discovered the nail had gone between his toes and there was no damage!

 

Pause, re-read the prior paragraph and consider.…. scroll down :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The role of the pain system is to protect against threat. Even when there is no tissue damage; if there is other threatening sensory input pain may persist. A nail protruding through the boot, reaction or co-workers and paramedics pain and the thoughts about impact of an injury are enough to initiate a very real pain response.

 

• Pain ensures we allow space to heal

 

We will often feel pain before damage; this is how the body’s alarm (pain) system works - stop squeezing your earlobe now. When we have sustained tissue damage, pain continues so we don't overload the body in away that compromises healing. Most tissues are healed by 3 months though and beyond this time the pain system has become sensitized and is being unnecessarily overprotective (see next blog).

• Pain is necessary for survival

   

Pain is not an enemy. People with genetic conditions of not feeling pain, do not survive. They have no alarm system to alert them to injury or disease and consequently do not do what is required to heal.

 

Let me 'bake your noodle' with another interesting story

 

Another worker on another construction site is working with a nail gain that misfires. He feels a jolt under his chin and a bit of toothache, but thinks nothing of it and continues his workday. 6 days later at his annual dental check an xray reveals a nail embedded in his head. So, despite the need for urgent medical attention, his nervous system had disregarded sensory input coming in, deeming a pain response 'unnecessary'.

• Pain is individual and always real

 

Many things influence pain that is felt in the body, not just the state of the tissues. Everybody is unique with different experiences that increase and decrease pain experience, but never doubt your pain is real.

 

Having a better understanding of the pain system is the first step towards managing or ridding yourself of pain that is not needed for protection. Stay tuned for more blogs and workshops over the next year as I continue my studies.