Physical Pain

Physical Pain

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  PAIN
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  Today’s SessionDevelop anunderstanding of why we feel pain
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  Pain physiology
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  Acute pain andinflammation
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  Chronic pain
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  Why does painpersist?
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  What can Ido about my pain?Why do we need pain?Extremely important in protecting our tissues
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  Alarms us totake action
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  Learn not torepeat the same activity again!!
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  Vital to oursurvival – motivates us to take action and warns against threatsAcute Injury and InflammationWhen a tissue is injured, blood and other cells infiltrate the area
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  This is whatcauses swelling, warmth and redness
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  Inflammation promotes healing,as the correct cells are transported to the area to do their jobs
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  A necessary partof inflammation is to release chemicals which sensitise nervesPhysiologyPeripheral nerve endings - nociceptors
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  Detect the harmfulstimulus, and transmit this information to neurones and to the spinal cord
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  2nd order nociceptors(in the Spinal cord) aka danger messenger neurones – transmit danger messages to the brain
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  These signals aretransmitted to the brain to be processedPhysiologyThe Brain decides whether this stimulus is harmful to us, and ultimately decides whether we are in pain
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  The Brain willcome compute this information, and elicit the necessary actionThe wonderful brainThe brain activates several systems that work together to get you out of danger:
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  Sympathetic nervoussystem
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  Motor system
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  Endocrine system
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  Pain productionsystem
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  Immune system
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  Parasympathetic nervoussystemThe Alarm SystemEveryone that has experienced an injury will incur changes in nerves and tissues
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  The brain willalso adapt and become more sensitive
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  This process occursto better equip ourselves for future injuriesPersistent Pain When pain has been around for a long time, the nerves, tissues, muscles, neurones and brain become highly sensitized
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  The dangeralarm system becomes more sensitive
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  The dangermessenger nerve becomes more excitable, and manufactures new danger messenger nerves
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  Response systemsbecome more involved, and contribute to the problem
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  The braingets better at remembering painPersistent PainPain can continue even though the tissue itself has healedWhy does pain persist in some and not others?Some thoughts are: External factors – environment, support systems
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  Your viewsof pain
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  Poor medicalmanagement
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  Stress andanxiety
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  Money issues
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  Work coverissues
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  Family andrelationship worrieswww.rah.sa.gov.au/psychology/clinpsy4.php
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  StressWhen the bodyis distressed, a hormone called adrenaline rushes through our blood vessels
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  Our already sensitisednerves will react to adrenaline, and sense there is a threat
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  The pain pathwaysbecome activated and heightenedManaging PainGet treatment if you haven’t already done so!
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  Having anunderstanding of your injury will help in recovery and coping with your pain
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  Therapist mayshow you some useful stretches/exercises to help
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  Get allyour questions answered
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  Fear avoidance– therapist will teach you movements that are OK to start doing againManaging Pain Get Active!
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  Many studieshave shown that exercise may help with pain tolerance
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  Also reducesendorphins, which make you feel better
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  Helps tocombat depression!!Exercising 30 minutes a day is enoughIf you are unsure what you are safe to do, see a physiotherapist
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  Managing PainConsider yourMental Health
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  If you sufferfrom a mental illness, then seek treatment if you have not already done so
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  Relaxation techniquesmay helpManaging Pain Avoid the ‘Boom and Bust’ Behaviour!
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  Pacing techniquescan help to avoid flare ups
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  Record yourcurrent activity level, and gradually increase from there
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  Don’t goall out on a good day – this will sensitize the nervous system even moreLiving with Pain You may not get rid of your pain
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  Unfortunately, manypeople will experience ongoing pain
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  If youunderstand pain, then it may make living with it less scary and a little easier to cope with
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  Implementing theappropriate strategies when you have a “flare up”
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  Setting newgoalsCatalyst Injury ManagementSupervised Gym programmes
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  Hydrotherapy
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  Physiotherapy treatment
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  Clinical Pilates That’s all!Thank you for coming todayLook forward to seeing you next session