Pain: in the…?

Sometimes life happens and folks get injured.

If we think of our brain as an “alarm system” - the alarm system is triggered when there is an “intruder” or injury.

What happens after a burglary? We are hyper aware of any little noise or situation that just doesn’t seem right that might result in a another burglary.

This is just like chronic pain!

The alarm system in folks with chronic pain was triggered by an intiial event BUT the alarm system has recalivrated to respond to normal stimulus with pain.

Why do alarm systems go “haywire”?

Thanks for asking!

Dealing with pain adds stress. You’ve been told conflicting things are casuing your pain. You are afraid of the next moment of pain. You don’t think you can get better.

But guess what? Your brain is freaking resilient! It can adopt new thoughts, behaviors and emotions. The alarm system can be recalibrated and the software updated.

This happens in conjunction with finding items on the pain venn diagram above to address. One at a time, with an open mind.

Here’s a little video discussing pain: https://youtu.be/C_3phB93rvI

Here’s a little guidebook on pain: https://www.greglehman.ca/recovery-strategies-pain-guidebook