Chronic Pain
Pain is a natural part of life and something we all experience. It’s our body’s way of protecting us and keeping us safe from harm. If you sprain your ankle or cut your finger, there is often obvious damage, like swelling or bleeding. The pain causes us to stop and deal with this injury to prevent further harm. As the injury heals, the pain typically fades as well.
But have you ever wondered why some pain sticks around long after the injury has healed? Or what if pain is present when tissue damage can’t be found? This is the case for many people with chronic pain.
In the past, pain like this was often dismissed and thought of as being “all in your head.”
Now, we know that all pain—whether acute or chronic—is produced by the brain.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Once pain persists for months or years, it often affects every aspect of your life. It’s common for pain to get worse and spread to other areas of your body. Pain can start to increase after even light activities and it can flare up out of nowhere. The pain really starts to behave differently. But why?
Imagine your body as a house, and pain as the smoke alarm. When the alarm goes off, your natural reaction is to check for a fire. But what if the alarm keeps sounding, even when there’s no fire? Over time, you might realize the issue is with the alarm itself. It’s become so sensitive that it’s triggered by harmless activities, like making toast.
Chronic pain works in a similar way. It’s often driven by changes in the brain and nervous system, instead of damage to the tissues. These changes cause the alarm system to become more sensitive, so even normal signals can be interpreted as a threat.
The good news is that your nervous system can be trained to be less sensitive!
A Personalized Approach to Pain Management
Because pain is a deeply personal experience, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Pain is influenced by your physical health, emotional well-being, and the unique way you live your life. Effective pain management requires a whole-person approach—one that’s tailored specifically to you.
At InPursuit Physiotherapy, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way as you take control of your pain.