No one wants to experience pain. Pain, however, alerts our brain that there may be an increased potential or actual tissue damage occurring in the tissues. Pain experiences are normal and are an important, although unpleasant, response to what your brain judges to be a threatening situation.
Contrary to belief, pain does not occur at the site of pain but rather, all pain whether it is acute (weeks or a few months) or persistent (months to years) is a perception that occurs in the brain. This means that the amount of pain you experience does not necessarily relate to the amount of tissue damage you have sustained. The context in which the pain is experienced is important. Exactly the same minor finger injury will cause more pain in a professional guitarist than in a professional soccer player because finger damage poses a greater threat to the guitarist.
All pain is real. Pain, however, is not just a physical sensation. It is influenced by attitudes, beliefs and social factors, and can affect emotional and mental wellbeing. In fact even your sleep can affect your pain levels. It has been found impaired sleep significantly increases the risk for reduced pain tolerance.
It is now known that understanding more about why things hurt can actually help treat pain. Pain Australia have put together a fantastic 5 minute video explaining what persistent pain is and what factors need to be involved in your treatment plan if you have persistent pain. You can view this video via Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=RWMKucuejIs or via their website at http://www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/what-is-pain.
If you are experiencing pain, whether it be acute or persistent, you can contact the Ballarat Allied Health clinic on 5334 1113 for a consult with one of our Physiotherapists. Your therapist can provide you with a comprehensive assessment and further discussion about the ways in which we can help you manage your pain.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and is used for educational purposes only. If you are having pain or health related complaints, please seek out a licensed healthcare professional.