Understanding Pain
Pain management and elimination is the fundamental purpose of physical therapy. However, people experience pain differently, which affects the treatment they'll receive for their injuries and conditions. Also, learning more about how the body processes and reacts to pain can quicken the recovery process and help people find new ways of alleviating their symptoms.
Here are several facts that will provide a better understanding of pain and its impact.
It comes from the brain
Medical professionals once believed that pain spreads from the tissue. When a football player hurts his foot, the pain originates in and radiates from the affected area. However, that's a misconception. We now understand that it's all in the mind. The brain uses pain as a tool to warn the body of potential injuries or illnesses. Once it senses danger, the brain communicates with the body part that may be at risk, using pain as a warning sign. Therefore, pain is an integral part of the body's innate defense mechanism.
People experience pain differently
Researchers have concluded that people who have sustained the same injury might not experience the same pain levels. For example, some people don't register a paper cut and won't flinch, while others have difficulty moving their fingers for several hours.
When determining the optimal treatment plan, physical therapists consider a person's responsiveness to pain. They find exercises that challenge patients, encourage a healthier lifestyle, and minimize painful movements that may be too demanding.
It's connected to mental health
Numerous psychological issues can intensify the pain. While scientists are yet to reach a solid conclusion, conditions like depression and anxiety alter pain perception. Feelings of sadness, anger, rejection, and hopelessness become tied to the moment we're injured or fall ill, making the discomfort worse. Similarly, patients with underlying mental health issues who have undergone surgery often report a lingering feeling of pain post-operation.
How we experience pain may depend on our environments
We typically feel pain when we're in challenging or uncomfortable situations. Office workers who spend their time in an anxiety-inducing climate might experience headaches or back pain because the brain feels it's unsafe. The physical therapist may recommend lowering stress levels and introducing exercises to ease the patient's mind in such cases.
Acute pain and chronic pain are different
Acute pain responds to imminent danger and usually passes quickly with the appropriate treatment. However, chronic pain isn't a warning signal, and there's no quick fix. Without proper care and management, it grows into a lifelong issue that prevents people from completing daily tasks and activities. Patients struggling with chronic pain often turn to physical therapy, as it helps the body recover and enables them to lead fulfilling lives.
Listen to your body and live a pain-free life!
Anyone dealing with persistent pain should contact a medical care provider. A physical therapist will assess the symptoms and determine the source of the pain. Most patients fully recover with the proper treatment, adopting positive lifestyle changes to maintain a pain-free life.
If you are looking for occupational or physical therapy, vestibular rehab, wheelchair training, learning to walk, unweighting aquatic therapy, or other services in the Phoenix area, please call Touchstone Rehabilitation at 602-277-1073.