The Top Four Facts About Pain and Possible Red Flags
We have all experienced pain at some point in our lives. Whether it was from a major injury or even simply stubbing your toe, pain is a feeling most of us are familiar with. However, there is a surprising amount of misconceptions about pain.
In fact, there is a lot more to pain than people realize. In some cases, pain can be a helpful red flag or warning. So what exactly is pain and where does it come from? What are some other interesting facts about pain?
The Top Four Facts About Pain and Possible Red Flags
1. Where Does Pain Come From?
One of the most interesting facts about pain is that your brain interprets it, but it can’t actually feel pain. When you sprain your ankle, nerve fibers send a signal to your brain, which recognizes the sensation as pain. However, during say a surgery, your brain process pain in an interesting way.
Nerve fibers in the brain might send out the same types of signals as for a sore ankle, but there’s nowhere for them to go to be processed. That’s why patients are often awake during brain surgery. Because surgeons can actively stimulate brain areas to make sure the procedure is going as planned without fear of hurting them.
2. Pain is A Symptom, Not the Problem
One of the most common misconceptions about pain is that it is the main issue, however, that’s really not the case. Pain is merely the byproduct or result of another issue. One experiences pain as a result of specific types of nerve fibers being stimulated.
However, the main question for doctors to solve is why these fibers are being stimulated in the first place. Basically, whether it is structural (bone or muscle or ligament) physiological. For example, in a case in which one has a misaligned or restricted spinal joint, there can be structural and physiological changes for the entire joint resulting in pain from irritated nerve fibers. So the best way to correct this would be a chiropractic adjustment.
3. Correction of Pain Does Not Mean Correction of the Problem
Another major misconception about pain is that once it’s gone, the problem is solved. This ties into the idea that pain is the problem itself, rather than a symptom. Only about 11 percent of the nervous system transmits pain. This likely means that pain is the last thing to come about and the first thing to go away.
For example, if you have a misaligned spinal joint the pain may decrease at a rapid rate. However even if there is virtually no pain, the chiropractor may still observe decreased joint function and range of motion. So the best course of action would be to continue adjustments until movement is fully restored. All in all, lack of pain does mean the problem is solved.
4. Your Body Has Natural Painkillers
One of the best natural painkillers your body is equipped with is endorphins. The hormones are released by the body (especially during exercise) and help to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression. I am sure you have ever experienced the sensation of endorphins being released when you exercise.
With injuries or certain issues, one certainly needs to be careful about the use of exercise as a painkiller.
While exercise is great for your overall health, intense exercise can cause issues depending on your specific injury. Chiropractors at SHIN Wellness in Miami Florida can direct you as to whether exercise will help in the process of relieving your pain or whether you would be better off avoiding or decreasing it as a painkiller until the problem is solved, all based on your specific health needs.
The Pain Takeaway
All in all, there are many misconceptions about pain. It is simply a symptom, and even if the pain has subsided the underlying issue could still be present.
If you are interested in finding more remedies for pain, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many other holistic treatments such as decompression therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, neurofeedback, psychology, reiki, nutrition, massage, rolfing and corrective exercise. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!
