What is chronic pain? Chronic pain syndrome.
Chronic pain has a profound impact on individuals’ lives, influencing their self-perception, affecting those around them, and disrupting their plans. It is a condition that can be difficult for the person experiencing it to comprehend, while others may struggle to accept it. Explaining the inconsistency of being incapacitated one day and unaffected the next can be challenging. It is normal to feel frustration when pain prevents engagement in enjoyable activities or routine tasks.
Achieving understanding and acceptance can propel individuals from a mindset of why me to one of what now, representing a significant step towards regaining control over their bodies and lives. Pain, as an intrinsic sensory response, serves a primitive and essential function of survival. It acts as a warning for potential harm or illness, such as an infection, and functions to protect against injury, as seen when instinctively releasing a hot object.
When nerve fibres in the hand transmit pain signals to the brain, the brain instructs the hand to let go, preventing further harm. These instances exemplify acute pain, a normal sensation triggered by the nervous system to prompt self-care. Once the perceived danger has passed, the pain signal diminishes. Similarly, in cases of injury or illness, once the damaged tissue has been repaired and healed, the pain subsides.
Chronic pain symptoms. Chronic pain causes.
Chronic pain differs from acute pain in its persistence, with pain signals continuing for extended periods of weeks, months, or even years. In many instances, there is no evidence of lingering tissue injury or illness, yet the pain persists and communicates between the body and brain. Chronic pain can manifest gradually without apparent cause, and it may emerge months or years after an activity or injury like a car accident or surgery. It can be localized to specific body parts such as the back, shoulder, or legs, or it may affect the entire body.
The intensity of chronic pain can vary, ranging from continuous to intermittent flare-ups. Additionally, it may exhibit symptoms such as numbness, burning sensations, or sharp piercing. Managing chronic pain has traditionally posed challenges as there is no specific muscle or tissue damage to target for treatment. Consequently, conventional treatments often prove ineffective, leading to frustration for individuals suffering from chronic pain. It almost seems as if the body’s nervous system is in a state of heightened alertness.
The nerves become extremely sensitive, causing them to transmit pain signals even with the slightest touch or movement, or sometimes without any apparent reason. Scientists are investigating methods to block these pain signals along the nerves and using medications to desensitize them. It is understood by scientists that pain has evolved beyond being a simple survival strategy and is now a complex sensation influenced by emotions, experiences, lifestyle, environment, and physiology.
The biopsychosocial model of pain explains that each person’s chronic pain is unique, resulting from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. These components affect both the experience of pain and an individual’s ability to cope with it. Whether there is an injury, tissue damage, or chronic pain, a pain signal is generated within the body, but the subsequent response depends on the individual.
1 Thoughts.
Cognition, or thoughts, happen in the brain and evaluate the incoming pain signal, while also processing other sensations from surrounding events. These thoughts can be conscious (meaning you are aware of them) or unconscious (meaning you are not aware of them), and they significantly impact how the pain signal is perceived. For instance, general body aches and stiffness might be considered as ‘beneficial pain’ when they occur after an intense exercise session, whereas they could be seen as ‘harmful pain’ when associated with medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
In individuals who have experienced past trauma (such as abuse, accidents, or injuries during military service), any instance of pain can trigger thoughts and memories of previous pain, ultimately intensifying the current pain experience. This is true even if the current pain is completely distinct and unrelated.
2 Emotions.
The way a person feels about pain is based on their thoughts regarding the pain. If one perceives the pain as a severe danger, such as a tumour, this can lead to various emotional reactions including fear, depression, anxiety, and possibly panic. Conversely, if one believes the pain poses no threat, the emotional response will be minimal. Additionally, the emotional state of an individual when the pain arises can impact its outcome. Individuals who experience high levels of stress when chronic pain develops often struggle to effectively manage the pain due to its association with a specific time in their lives. Therefore, addressing the emotional aspect is just as crucial as pain management for the purpose of recovery.
3 Suffering.
Suffering and pain are frequently used interchangeably, despite their potential differences. For instance, a person may experience pain from a broken bone, but not necessarily suffer, as they know the pain is not life-threatening and the bone will heal. On the other hand, bone pain caused by a tumour may be equally painful, but the suffering is likely to be greater due to the significance associated with the pain (as the tumour could be life-threatening). The level of suffering usually correlates closely with the emotional connection one has to the pain.
4 Pain behaviours.
Pain behaviour refers to your physical response to pain. It encompasses actions that others perceive as signs of pain, such as discussing the pain, making facial expressions, walking with difficulty, moving slowly, and taking medication. Your physical reaction to pain can be influenced by past life experiences, expectations, and cultural factors that shape the expression of pain. It is worth noting that pain behaviours can also be influenced by external factors, including how others react to you. The amount of sympathy and support you receive from those around you may affect your level of activity on days when the pain is particularly bad.
5 Outside environment.
The enduring nature of pain creates a lasting impression within us, forming a distinct memory. When pain accompanies our everyday activities, it is natural to develop a list of activities to avoid. Anticipating pain can intensify its impact. Anxiety or tension prior to an action can trigger hormonal responses that heighten our sensitivity to pain. Conversely, pleasurable activities can release endorphins, fostering a sense of enjoyment and potentially reducing pain. Treating pain is a complex process, but gaining comprehension of it can significantly contribute to our ability to cope.
For further assistance in managing and dealing with pain, kindly consult the therapist who provided you with this leaflet. Consult the therapist for additional resources to help you manage and cope with pain. Pain leaves a lasting impression and can impact our daily activities. Avoiding certain activities due to pain is common, but anticipating it can intensify the experience. Anxiety and tension before action can heighten pain sensitivity, while pleasurable activities can release endorphins and potentially alleviate pain. Understanding pain is integral to effectively dealing with it. For further guidance on pain management, refer to the therapist who provided this leaflet.
Chronic pain relaxation
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