Red Flag Warning: 3 Facts About Pain

By Dr. Molly Casey

Pain can be a complex issue. There is much more to pain than most people realize and, In fact, it is at times helpful. Yes, you read that right: pain can be helpful. There may be a few other things you don’t know about pain as well, so keep reading and hopefully you’ll learn a little more, understand a little more, and seek appropriate treatment a little more!

Things you may not know about pain:

Pain is a symptom, not the problem - You read that right. Pain is the byproduct or result of another issue, not the issue itself. One experiences pain as a result of specific types of nerve fibers being stimulated. Why these fibers are being stimulated is the question for the doctor to solve; is it structural -- bone or muscle or ligament -- or is it physiological? For example, in a case in which one has a misaligned or restricted spinal joint, there can be structural and physiological changes for the entire joint resulting in pain from irritated nerve fibers. The correction in this case could come from a chiropractic adjustment.

Correction of pain does not equal correction of the problem - Approximately 11 percent of the nervous system transmits pain. That means 89 percent does not. With those numbers, it’s most likely that pain is the last thing to come about and the first thing to go away. For instance, in the example above with misaligned or restricted spinal joints, even though the pain may decrease at a rapid rate (depending on the specific issue), the chiropractor may still observe decreased joint function and range of motion. Thus, the need for continued chiropractic adjustments until the root cause is rectified.

Your body has natural painkillers - Endorphins are released by the body, particularly during exercise, and help to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression. Think of the last time you reluctantly worked out and how phenomenal you felt after, that high. That is a result of endorphins! With injuries or certain issues, one certainly needs to be careful about the use of exercise as a painkiller. Chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can direct you as to whether exercise will help in the process of relieving your pain or whether you would be better off avoiding or decreasing it as a “painkiller,” all based on your specific health needs.

The Chiropractic Solution

One of the least invasive and most effective care treatments for spinal pain is chiropractic care, which can also provide a whole host of other benefits. At some point, it’s likely you’ll experience back pain because most people do in their lifetime. The beautiful part is that you have options in regard to treatment. Chiropractic care helps restore motion to spinal joints and allows the central nervous system to function at its highest possible level. And guess what can go away in the process? Pain. The care is rendered with the chiropractor’s hands, and a good adjustment is completed in just a few minutes. It doesn’t use medication to mask the symptom, but adjustments to fix the cause.

Pain is not a bad thing. It can tell you and your doctors a good deal about what’s going on in your body. Take pain as the signal to investigate more, as that is what it is: a red flag that something is wrong. If you’re in pain, visit chiropractors at The Joint because they would love to help!

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.