The vicious cycle of Pain- Can we break the chain??

The vicious cycle of Pain- Can we break the chain??

Pain is ubiquitous; there isn’t a single individual who hasn’t experienced it in their life. It can manifest as physical or mental pain, with the latter, commonly referred to as hurtful pain, being alleviated by addressing stress triggers. However, physical pain is often more burdensome and can lead to mental anguish if left untreated.

Dr Milon V Mitragotri

If all diseases were a family than Pain would definitely be the head of the family.

Medical science now confirms that physical pain can significantly impact brain function, causing psychological problems. Surprised? Let’s delve deeper.

Bio-psycho-social nature of pain –

Consider the following example: A 65-year-old widow experiences knee pain for six months. Medications prescribed by her general physician provide little relief. The excruciating pain impedes her daily activities, rendering her dependent on her children for livelihood. She withdraws socially, attributing her isolation to poor health.

Social Pain –

Social interactions decline as pain dominates daily activities, fearing attention on her physical disability.

These elements create a vicious cycle of pain due to miscommunications between the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system, especially in diseases like fibromyalgia. What’s Fibromyalgia, Wait for my next blog…

Even after physical pain resolution, the mental imprint can persist, impacting the patient’s quality of life. The risk of entering this cycle lies in inadequately treating pain especially in chronic cases. Early pain intervention can prevent complications.

What can one do? –

Our bodies haven’t evolved that much from our caveman days; they’re still built to move. Without regular exercise, like walking, running, or swimming (which is excellent for muscle pain), our muscles can weaken. Just 15-30 minutes a day can make a big difference.