Pain is defined as ‘an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage’ (IASP, 2015).
Pain is definitely not as simple as we once thought. Pain can be categorised as acute or chronic. Acute pain is defined as pain that is short lived and lasts less than three months. Chronic pain is pain that has been occurring longer than three months.
There are many reasons why pain persists. These include the nature of the pathology or the injured tissue. We know that over time the bodies response to pain and how the pain system works can also change. We also now know that how you feel, how you think about pain, your beliefs and how people around you think has a important influence on pain.
The causes of and contributions to acute and chronic painare very different. How we treat them also requires different approaches.
This increased understanding of the differences has led to the Modern Pain Therapy which is based on a biopsychosocial approach, it is holistic in its nature and addresses the whole person.
Some of the causes of pain are complex and challenge our thoughts and beliefs. It is important to be open to and be prepared to think differently about your pain. Modern Pain Approach is about giving you the tools to change your pain, it is about empowerment. It is important that you take control of your pain and those who are trying to help.
Knowledge and understanding is a key to solving your pain, giving you control and empowerment.
Pain is created by the brain. Many things influence the pain that we feel. For example, if you were in the jungle and being chased by a tiger you would run for your life. If you roll your ankle in the process, you wouldn’t even feel it. The brain decides that pain in this instance is not useful. All you want to do is get to safety. If however you were at home and walking around the streets to get some fresh air, as you had just lost your job and had a fight with your partner, it starts to rain AND you slip and roll your ankle then it would probably hurt like hell. Same injury, different feeling.
The brain is intensely involved in our experience of pain. The brain can treat your pain. Through brain plasticity even longstanding pain states can be changed.
At Body Smart Physio we utilize the current knowledge regarding treating persistent pain, we will work with you to empower you and your brain and body to treat your pain.
© 2017 Body Smart Physio