A Closer Look at Pain

“The experience of pain is uniquely individual.” Have you ever wondered why two people can have the exact same injury but the pain they endure can debilitate one of them while the other continues to function normally. Well, in addition to the actual severity of the tissue injury our pain experience is influenced by the thoughts and meaning that we give to our pain.

If we have positive emotions and cognitions about our pain then the pain that we feel is likely to be less intense and more manageable. Fear, anger and blame can be especially detrimental for the state of pain we experience. If we are angry and blame others for our injury or condition our experience of pain may be more severe. This is why individuals who are involved with personal injury legal battles specifically relating to their injuries may be less likely to respond to therapy that is only focused on physical ailments. Sometimes physical therapy strategies may be best utilized when the legal case is completed and the client is ready to move forward from their injury. Becoming aware of our cognitions and also understanding how they influence our pain experience is an important component of the rehabilitation and recovery process.

As a patient it is important to keep in mind that pain is multidimensional and there are many factors that contribute to your pain experience. In the same respect, there are many factors that can lead to persistency of your condition and many factors that can yield a great outcome. A good therapist will assess you to determine the root of your physical problem while at the same time learning about you as a person (your values, goals, fears and perspectives). With this information, your therapist will develop a treatment plan that will help you become more aware of your body, your movement patterns, your faulty strategies as well as your incorrect thoughts and perceptions. This knowledge as well as other tools and strategies used by your therapist will be the key to your recovery.

The chiropractors and physiotherapists at Rebalance Sports Medicine are committed to empowering you with the knowledge and skills required to combat your injury. Not only will we work hard to treat your physical ailment but we will take the time to learn about you as a person. We aim to provide multimodal management that will target all the factors that may be limiting your level of function and pain experience. Our approach has a very high success rate. Book an appointment today.