Everybody responds to pain differently
Our response depends not only on who we are but on our previous experiences – what we have done, the experiences of pain we have had in the past – as well as our current mental and emotional state.
As an example, let’s take two people: one a bricklayer, the other a concert violinist, and we subject both to a potentially painful stimulus – a pinprick to a finger. Both depend on their hands for work, but they would respond differently, both physically and emotionally. The way they use their fingers will be different, and may result in different physical properties, like finger dexterity and calluses. An injury involving the tip of a finger may be an inconvenience for the bricklayer, but could be a disaster for the violinist who has an important concert coming up. As such, the meaning of the injury and the pain to each individual may produce very different reactions.
When we experience pain it is common to feel anxious and even fearful. The more anxious we are, the higher our pain levels can be. By appreciating that pain is perfectly normal, and that it serves to protect us from injury, and that it can actually help us to heal by motivating us to look after the injured area, this may reassure us, and this may actually lower the pain.
The osteopaths at our clinic understand the complex nature of pain, and work not only to help your body to heal, but to reassure you that what you are feeling is a natural and normal response to injury or strain. With time, osteopathic treatment and self-management, your body stands a better chance of healing well and returning to a pain-free state.
Please don’t forget: Pain is a normal protective mechanism with two important functions:
* It warns us against potential damage to the body
* If we have injured ourselves, pain helps to remind us to look after the injury in order to give it a chance to heal.
