Why does your pain not going away?
Pain is the body's way of communicating that something is wrong. It serves as a protective mechanism, alerting us to potential tissue damage or injury.
However pain is not always an accurate indicator of tissue damage.It is influenced by a combination of physiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors such as past injuries, emotions, and stress level.
For example, Alex sprained his lower back while playing basketball. After the injury, Alex experiences significant pain and swelling in the lower back. As the initial healing process takes place, Alex's pain gradually subsides, and the swelling reduces.
However, despite the healing, Alex continues to experience persistent pain and discomfort in the lower back. Simple tasks such as standing for 30 minutes or lifting boxes become challenging due to the ongoing pain.
Why?
After an injury, the nervous system can undergo changes that lead to an increased sensitivity to pain. This phenomenon is known as peripheral and central sensitization. The affected area is an inflammation soup which lowers the pain threshold results pain signal fries with minimum stimulus such as light touch, or even with nothing at all.
What can we do ?
We need to manage pain sensitivity by addressing both the physical and neurological aspects of pain.
Education and Pain Neuroscience: we need to understand that pain does not always indicate tissue damage, reframe their perception of pain and reduce fear or anxiety associated with it.
Graded Exposure and Desensitization: We need to gradually expose individuals to activities or movements that may have been associated with pain. This approach helps desensitize the nervous system and reduce pain sensitivity over time.
Movement and Exercise Therapy: Physical therapists will design tailored exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. Regular physical activity has been shown to release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and promote overall well-being.
Manual Therapy and Techniques: Hands-on techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and neural mobilization can help modulate pain signals, reduce muscle tension, and improve physical function.
Mind-Body Techniques: Physical therapists may incorporate mind-body techniques like relaxation exercises, meditation, and breathing techniques to help individuals manage pain, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
