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Understanding Pain

Pain; The Why, How and What

There are many types of pain that affects us in different ways at different times. Fortunately at Maitland Wellness Centre we have therapists with different skills and expertise to help you with your particular problem.

Results will depend on the many factors and variables that give rise to pain. Please give us a call to discuss your particular problem and we will be happy to advise you on what we may be able to help you with. 

Pain is a message sent by the body to the brain signalling that disease, injury, or strenuous activity has caused damage in some area. Without pain, you would remain unaware of many problems, from torn ligaments to appendicitis, until the disorders become very serious. At low levels, pain can motivate you to rest the injured area so that tissues can be repaired and additional damage can be prevented. When severe, pain can motivate you to seek pain relief and treatment as well.

Modern research indicates that pain signals are transmitted by specialised nerve cells located throughout the skin and other body tissues. These cells respond to injury or damage by transmitting signals electrically and chemically to the spinal cord and up to the brain where the message is interpreted as pain. The Traditional Chinese Medical model indicates that when there is an imbalance between Yin and Yang, or an excess or deficiency of energy or blood, the systems of the body cannot function correctly resulting in disease and pain.

Pain can arise from a number of different causes, including overuse injuries seen in sports, repetitive strain, or even postural compensation for skeletal disorders. Commonly we associate pain with an obvious trauma or injury we have experienced, but pain can also stem from a long term weakness of tissues that we have learned to deal with or ignore, until a seemingly simple action or activity creates a pain ‘out of nowhere’.

When there is an injury or disorder of soft tissues such as tendons, muscles and ligaments, or structural tissues such as bones and cartilage, the body’s response is generally inflammation, degeneration, and the development of trigger points.

  • Inflammation is the initial response to tissue damage, and is the process of blood rushing to the affected area to protect and heal the injury. This results in the redness, heat, swelling, and loss of function that we see when we have injured ourselves. Damage or pressure to nerve endings in and around the area triggers signals to the brain so that we feel all of this as pain, to make us stop or avert from the cause of the injury.
  • When the initial response to an injury settles down, depending on the nature of the injury and the general health of the individual, the damaged tissue begins to repair. A full recovery is ideal, but in some cases, there will be scarring, degeneration of the tissues, or chronic inflammation, which can lead to a persistent or recurring pain.
  • Trigger points (also known as ‘ah shi’ points in Traditional Chinese Medicine) are areas that are very tender to touch and are often located in predictable muscular or myofascial locations. They can be activated through trauma or sustained tension (for example, poor posture) and can produce pain even when there is no obvious associated tissue damage or inflammation.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), correct and pain free functioning of the body relies on the proper circulation of qi (energy) and blood as they flow through channels or meridians in a network. When there is a disruption of healthy circulation of qi and blood from injury, illness, or even weakness, the resulting stagnation or accumulation of qi and blood leads to symptoms of pain and/or stiffness.

lady is having a stomachache
therapist is massaging the mans back

Acute pain that starts suddenly or only lasts for a short time can alert us to a problem that needs immediate attention, but in some cases pain lasts long after an injured area has healed. In other instances, pain may be caused by recurring backache, migraines and other headaches, arthritis and other disorders. This is referred to as chronic pain, – which is defined as pain that occurs continually or intermittently for more than six months.

Of course in real life these definitions may mean very little to us. Pain is pain. But to the therapist finding out whether the pain is new or old, chronic or acute, intermittent or constant are all clues that helps us to best formulate a unique treatment plan for you.

Acute pain that starts suddenly or only lasts for a short time can alert us to a problem that needs immediate attention, but in some cases pain lasts long after an injured area has healed. In other instances, pain may be caused by recurring backache, migraines and other headaches, arthritis and other disorders. This is referred to as chronic pain, – which is defined as pain that occurs continually or intermittently for more than six months.

Of course in real life these definitions may mean very little to us. Pain is pain. But to the therapist finding out whether the pain is new or old, chronic or acute, intermittent or constant are all clues that helps us to best formulate a unique treatment plan for you.

Chinese Medicine has long recognised the effect of emotions on the creation and perpetuation of pain. For some people, pain is cyclical. Pain produces anxiety or depression, and this intensifies the pain. Fear and anticipation of the physical problem can also heighten the pain, leading to further feelings of depression and helplessness. When experiencing such pain, it is natural to limit one’s activities, which can lead to a chronic pain cycle.

The chronic pain cycle may begin with prolonged periods of rest and inactivity, causing a loss in physical strength, endurance and flexibility. Inability to perform usual activities at home or at work is likely to promote feelings of frustration and lowered self-esteem. During times when the pain subsides or is more tolerable than usual, you may overexert yourself in an effort to prove to yourself and others that you can still do the things you did before the chronic pain began. As a result of overexertion, the pain often returns and may be more severe than before. You may find yourself unable to finish tasks or accomplish goals. Discouraged and in pain, you begin limiting your activities, and the cycle begins again.

One way to keep from getting caught up in the chronic pain cycle is through pain management and treatments such as acupuncture and massage. Often the reduction of physical pain can prevent the cycle from starting.

Stress

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites commonly referred to as acupuncture points. The most common method used to stimulate these points is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation may further enhance the effects. Other stimulation techniques include: manual massage, moxibustion or heat therapy, cupping, and the application of topical herbal medicines and liniments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on a philosophy that describes the body in terms of two opposing forces: yin and yang. When these forces are in balance, the body is healthy. Energy, called “qi” (pronounced “chee”) flows along specific pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang forces balanced. However, if the flow of energy gets blocked, like water getting stuck behind a dam, the disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. Acupuncture therapy can release blocked qi in the body and stimulate function, evoking the body’s natural healing response through various physiological systems.

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