- The word ‘pain’ comes from the Latin ‘poena’ meaning a fine or penalty.
- Pain can be caused by trauma to the body, but has also been proven to be generated by emotional causes.
- Despite it causing suffering, pain is a critical component of the body's defence system. It is part of a rapid warning relay system that instructs the central nervous system to move the body in order to minimize detected physical harm.
- Research suggests that an acute bout of pain in an area of the body reduces the ability of nearby muscles to function properly: their movement and strength can be reduced, leading to quick loss of conditioning. This includes the tiny muscles surrounding our joints.
- In adults, the psychological context associated with a painful injury can have a substantial effect on recovery, and relate to the development of prolonged work absence and increased disability.
- Anxiety, fear, depression and anger are all common responses to pain and can become chronic if the pain is left untreated.
When our tissues are damaged as in the case of a muscle strain or ligament sprain, fracture, acute neck or back pain; pain receptors are fired leading to our perception of pain. An immune response is set up which releases inflammatory chemicals like an inflammatory soup. Then the cleanup crew arrive (more immune response) to clean up all of these chemicals.
This response is managed well by our amazing bodies, however the whole process can be managed better with professional advice- such as ice only for a short time (24- 48 hours) after an injury and then move! (Please Note that this is very general information and may not be specific for every condition).
Certain foods can also promote this painful inflammatory process.
Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia
If your pain is ignored or masked by taking pain killers then eventually our pain receptors become SENSITISED. This means that it actually takes less to activate them. In other words a small amount of pain can lead to a greater response. A person can then start to experience a very low threshold to pain. This is still manageable but much harder to treat.
So if you or someone you know is struggling with chronic pain – even the kind you think you just have to ‘live with’ – please get in touch with a Chiropractor or other health professional. Our bodies have an amazing inbuilt ability to self-regulate, and PAIN is a symptom sent to remind us that all is not well!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST CONTACT US ON 03 9432 464