Pain In The %$@&

Pain is a deeply personal and subjective experience, shaped by both physical and psychological factors. Two individuals with identical injuries can have vastly different pain experiences. One might have pain while the other feels little to no pain. Pain is not solely a reflection of tissue damage but is also influenced by emotions such as fear and anxiety.

Historically, pain was seen as a straightforward signal of physical harm, such as a broken bone or torn muscle. 

While this remains true in some cases, our understanding of pain has evolved to reveal its multifaceted nature. For example, cartilage lacks pain receptors, so discomfort attributed to a knee joint or osteoarthritis often arises from surrounding tissues rather than the joint itself.

Modern research has uncovered that pain can arise from two main sources: physical injury or the nervous system’s predictive mechanisms. When our brain uses past experiences to anticipate future harm, it can amplify pain signals, even in the absence of significant damage. For instance, a person who previously experienced severe back pain might feel pain return at the slightest movement even in the absence of damage. The brain associates similar sensations with danger, triggering fear and anxiety that heighten pain perception. In contrast to popular belief, chronic pain will reduce one’s pain threshold as apposed to increasing it. More pain = greater sensitivity = greater pain. 

Overcoming pain can be tricky but doesn’t necessitate a complete movement pause. 

In fact movement has been shown to be highly beneficial (provided it’s not completely torn or broken). 

As trainers, we focus on task specific goals as apposed to the individual movement components. 

Surrounding that movement goal lies variability. The ability to do the same thing in as many different ways as possible. 

Why? Variability expands ones movement library & therefore ones robustness. More experience = more adaptability. 

Getting in & out of one’s car is always but never quite the same. 

So don’t fear pain. Take a breath, listen to what it’s telling you & don’t panic. The more you listen, the more you’ll understand & recognise if it’s actually serious or just your “big brother” nervous system having a tantrum. 

Personally, my back goes mental every time I do the hoovering. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. 

I just hate hoovering!