Learn about safe, effective options for managing ongoing pain
Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician.
Understanding Pain
Pain is a complex communication between the brain and spinal cord dependent on social, biological, and psychological factors. [1] Together, these factors form a picture of the “danger” or threat level based on a situation. Nociception is the neural process of encoding noxious stimuli where physical, chemical, or thermal insult to our tissues and translating that into a signal our body can interpret. From here, it is encoded into several automatic behaviours or actions that allow a response to the stimulus. However, this does not always translate to the sensation of pain or, more appropriately, a signal of “danger.”
Your brain and spinal cord are constantly learning and adapting through a process known as neuroplasticity. The longer your body feels under threat, the more perceptive it can become to possible threat or danger. While walking through a forest in British Columbia, it is customary to look around to avoid a bear. Imagine if you never stop looking for the bear, including when you are safe at home. While this sounds nonsensical, it happens when your body evaluates a threat to consistently be present. Consider another time were learning a task or being “fluid” was difficult. Over time it became something that did not require any thought and seemed effortless. Now imagine that whole process taking place specifically for threat evaluation.
It is estimated that up to 1 in 5 Canadians live with chronic pain. [2] Pain is broadly defined into two different categories, acute & chronic pain. Typically, acute pain occurs from onset or injury up to three months in duration. After three months, pain is defined as chronic and may be associated with functional disability or emotional distress. One person’s experience of pain is not likely to be the same as another as it can depend on the body part affected and its impact on a person’s life.
Things that make you go, hmm. [3]
The World War II veteran found out he had a bullet in his neck on a routine chest x-ray 60 years later.
Those who suffer traumatic amputations describe the sensation as nothing more than a “thump” or a “bump.”
On the other hand, innocuous injuries causing significant discomfort, such as
Getting a papercut while working in the office
Stepping on Lego
Pain management strategies (Check out LivePlanBe)
Begin easy movements
Try relaxation and meditation techniques
Get in touch with a friend
Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule
Cut back on-screen time
Talk with your medical practitioner about medication reduction
Communication Strategies [5]
Create a diary of your pain and activities to help identify patterns or trends
Write down questions or concerns before meeting members of your healthcare team. Write down answers so you can review them
Bring medication lists, test results to new practitioners
Discuss treatments that you have tried and be prepared to discuss results
Other health care providers [5]
Chiropractor/physiotherapist – can work with you to maintain meaningful activities while promoting joint range of motion, mobility, and strength activities.
Occupational therapy – Help you live independently through education and specialized equipment such as wheelchairs or other home-based modifications
Psychologist/Counsellor – Help manage the mental health and emotional aspects of living with chronic pain.
Massage therapists – Help reduce tension, improve blood flow, and promote relaxation
Acupuncture – A form of traditional Chinese medicine that concentrates on the flow of energy through the body by unlocking blocked energy by placing needles in specific points.
Access to pain care [6]
If you have not already consulted your health care practitioner, now would be an excellent time to have that conversation. Accessing pain care can start through the community providers listed above. Symptoms that suggest consulting a healthcare practitioner include:
When pain is restricting your daily activities
Pain that affects your mood or mental health
Medications or therapies have become less effective in managing discomfort
Sleep is being interrupted by pain
Pain that continues to cause worry
Concluding remarks
Pain can be weird, particularly when it does not indicate damage. Frequently this type of conversation occurs when medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs come back normal. Pain is pain. While this sounds straightforward, we are aware that several factors contribute to a pain experience. Locating where it hurts and identifying tasks that cannot be completed due to the pain are an excellent place to start.
Telephone Resources
BC Pain Support Line: 1-844-880-7246
BC Mental Health Support Line (Available 24/7 for BC residents) - 310-6789 (no area code)
BC Crisis Line (Available 24/7 to everyone) - 1-800-784-2433
Canada Crisis line (Available 24/7 to everyone) - 1-833-456-4566
Paramedics: Contact the Critical Incident Stress Team through the Ambulance Paramedics of BC
Online Resources [7,8]
References
[1] IASP Task Force on Taxonomy. 2021. Terminology | International Association for the Study of Pain. [online] International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Available at: <https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/terminology/#pain> [Accessed 30 November 2021].
[2] Schopflocher, D., Taenzer, P. and Jovey, R., 2011. The Prevalence of Chronic Pain in Canada. Pain Research and Management, 16(6), pp.445-450.
[3] Butler, D. and Moseley, L., 2003. Explain Pain. Adelaide City West: Noigroup Publications, p.13.
[4] Liveplanbe. 2021. Action plan. [online] Available at: <https://www.liveplanbe.ca/manage-my-pain/pain-plan> [Accessed 30 November 2021].
[5] Access chronic pain care [Internet]. Fraserhealth.ca. 2021 [cited 8 December 2021]. Available from: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/chronic-pain/access-chronic-pain-care#.YbAx8C-94Us
[6] Fraserhealth. 2021. Access chronic pain care. [online] Available at: <https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/chronic-pain/access-chronic-pain-care#.YaZ81y-95mA> [Accessed 30 November 2021].
[7] Pain BC Society. 2021 [cited 8 December 2021]. Available from: https://painbc.ca
[8] Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative. Sleep and pain. 2021 [cited 8 December 2021]. Available from: https://5fd9fdec-587d-4499-9f32-a02895f41f3b.filesusr.com/ugd/21ecf4_4b2ac8573d824f2ca67741bf46a3ffd5.pdf