Explaining Pain
by Catherine Macrae
‘All Pain experiences are a normal response to what your brain thinks is a threat’
The construction of the pain experience in the brain relies on many sensory cues. There are danger sensors throughout the body (Nociceptors), that when excited to a critical level, pass a message on to the spinal cord. Here excitory chemicals are released, which in turn can lead a message to be sent to the brain. The brain relies on credible evidence to process and decide if and what response is required.
Pain is not always produced. Sometimes the brain concludes that other behaviours such as movement are more appropriate to avoid threat or injury.
THE AMOUNT OF PAIN YOU EXPERIENCE DOES NOT ACCURATELY RELATE TO TISSUE HEALTH
Pain is only a protector. The unpleasant feelings produced by the brain are designed to change your behaviour, to allow for your tissues to heal or to avoid perceived threat.
SOMETIMES PAIN IS NOT HELPFUL especially when it persists. All tissues will heal, and the majority of pain will be gone within 3 months. However when Pain becomes persistent, the nociceptors are conditioned to become more sensitive to stimuli.
WE LEARN PAIN and become better at producing it. With Persistent pain thoughts and beliefs become more involved and can contribute to the problem.
RETRAINING THE PAIN SYSTEM:Accept that ‘Retraining the brain is complex’
We cannot easily ‘switch off’ the brain.Using Pain as your guide is also not always helpful. This can lead to drastic limitations of activity and meaning in life.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Through education and helping you to understand your pain better, the research proves that it can help you cope, and shift unhelpful attitudes and beliefs about your pain.
We can also support you in moving more than you are or believe you are currently capable of through pacing and graded exposure techniques.
Read more about Pain from Lorimer Moseley, one of the world’s leading Pain Scientists at:
https://www.tamethebeast.org/
Our team at Motion Health is available for any further questions