Why do we experience pain?
- Pain is the body’s alarm system that alerts you to danger and protects you. It is an essential part of life and makes you move differently, think differently and behave differently, which also makes it vital for healing.
- This alarm system has sensors scattered all over the body which picks up messages that are sent to the brain.
- The brain processes these messages and, if it concludes you are in danger and need to take action, it will produce pain.
Everyone experiences pain differently
- Messages evaluated by your brain involves complex memory, reasoning and emotional processes
- Age, gender, culture all influence how we experience pain.
PAIN experience does not necessarily relate to the amount of tissue damage
Tissue damage causes inflammation, which directly activates danger sensors and
makes neurones more sensitive. All tissues will heal and the time taken depends on the demands of the tissue involved and the blood supply available.
- When pain persists, the danger alarm system becomes more sensitive.
- Sensitisation means the brain is being told that there is more danger at the tissues than there actually is.
- Thoughts and beliefs become more involved and start contributing to the problem. Any increase in adrenaline and changed cortisol levels from increased stress will sensitise the alarm system, reduce healing and can increase the sensation of pain
Modern Management Models
Make sure that any injury or disease which requires urgent medical attention is dealt with. All ongoing pain states require a medical examination.- Make sure any prescribed help makes sense to you and to the understanding of your problem.
- Have ALL your questions answered satisfactorily.
- Avoid total dependence on any practitioner. YOU must take control.
- Always have goals that are understood by both you and your clinician. These could be physical, social and work goals which allow some quantifiable way of measuring progress.
Chronic inflammation will sensitise the alarm system and create and ongoing cycle of pain. Natural remedies such as Fish Oil and Magnesium may help to break up with ongoing cycle.
Current research strongly supports the use of exercise to help manage chronic pain. Group exercise is even better and therefore we strongly recommend our Clinical Pilates Program. Speak to our physiotherapists about a specific exercise program to help with your pain. Give us a call on 9922 2212!
