Pain is a common occurrence in daily life. Some might wonder what a life without pain would be. But pain actually signals the need for behavior changes. It’s a useful piece of information.
For example, let’s say you stub your toe walking from one room to another. That’s a reminder you need to pick up your foot when you cross the threshold. Sore feet at the end of the day? You may need different shoes. Get a paper cut? Wearing gloves in the garden protects against infection.
In these cases, the pain is considered “acute.” It signals various parts of the brain at the moment it occurs.
When pain lasts for more than six months, it’s considered chronic. The brain responds differently to chronic pain. Multiple areas of the brain engage to interpret how much attention to place on the pain. The neurological system can become very sensitive, so people feel more pain than with acute conditions. This also makes chronic pain difficult to treat.
What Happens When Pain Remains?
Most acute pain resolves on its own. When pain doesn’t resolve, many people first want to understand why. They’re not necessarily looking for a medicinal “fix.” Rather, they want to get answers on what’s happening with their body—so they can get back to their normal activities. For example, running or being able to pick up their child without severe back pain.
The best action patients can take is to find a trusted provider who will provide an accurate diagnosis—one who will help the patient move towards appropriate treatment. It may be tempting to turn to friends or family members for advice. But even if they have a similar type of pain, the root cause might be completely different. What works for them might not work for you.
Back Pain’s Unique Factors
Back pain is particularly troublesome. And it can be frightening for patients. Many immediately worry they’ll need surgery. In fact, surgery is the last resort to address back pain. Listen to a podcast on how to treat low back pain without surgery.
The first step in treating back pain is identifying the cause. Some underlying causes are simple to solve. For example, many people developed back pain during the pandemic because they were working from home. Instead of setting up a proper workstation, they may have worked at the kitchen table. Ergonomics has a lot to do with preventing back pain.
Other daily activities might also contribute to back pain. Think of how many times you bend over in a day. Or how you approach tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. What about your sleeping position? Is your mattress “wrong” for your back health? Determining the irritating factors underlying back pain allows people to course correct.
Still, it’s easy to give in to pain. Instead of remaining curious about it, many people become afraid of their pain. Experts encourage people with chronic pain to stay curious. And, if self-care tactics don’t work, seek the help of a medical professional. Often, working with a physical therapist is the answer people need.
More to Read
- How to Relieve Back Pain Without Surgery
- Finding Relief from Neck Pain
- Solutions to Manage Nighttime Back Pain
- Is Your Home Office Making Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Worse?
- Video Game Injuries: Virtual Fun with Real-Life Consequences
Medically reviewed by Lizzie Cavanaugh Bellinger PT, DPT.
