One definition from Oxford Languages on pain is,
“highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury”.
Photo credit: News Medical
Another definition still from Oxford Languages on pain is,
“Great care or trouble”.
Photo credit: The New York Times
A third way of looking at pain can be to,
“Cause mental or physical pain to”.
Photo credit: Baylor Scott and White Health
The little me always wondered why I felt pain, for example, when my parents barked at me or remarked at me in a way that hurt.
The adult me still wonders why I still feel pain, given the number of years I have been exposed to this thing called life!
Photo credit: TODAY
According to Shahram Heshmat Ph.D., he lists 7 factors that affect how we feel pain:
- Attention. Pain disrupts the person’s attention and forces them to focus on their body.
- Interpretation. Some people may perceive a pain problem as devastating to one’s well-being whereas others may perceive the same pain problem as an inconvenience that can be tolerated and managed.
- Attitudes toward pain. Cultural factors influence beliefs, perceptions, and emotions. Culture can influence how an individual communicates pain, pain tolerance, and pain catastrophizing.
- Catastrophic thinking. Catastrophic or tragic thinking can be defined as imagining the worst possible result that could happen. Catastrophizing may worsen pain by making a person focus and attach additional emotion to it.
- Sense of agency. Patients clearly feel better as their sense of control increases. Pain is no longer a threat when we know we are not entirely at its mercy.
- Expectations. The subjective experience of pain is largely shaped by our expectations. When people expect to have more pain, they have more pain, and vice versa.
- Anxiety. Anxiety is well known to increase pain. Anxious people seem to have a lower pain threshold. Some people (mostly men) even shy away from seeing doctors because they fear receiving bad news.
Photo credit: Exploring the Stereotypes About Aging – WordPress
To be honest, Dr. Heshmat’s elaboration explains a lot of things.
There are days I feel a slight pain and my anxious mind tells my conscious mind that the pain is so much worse than I think it is.
I end up feeling much more pain…kind of like what is called a “self-fulfilling prophecy”!
Photo credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Does this stuff happen to you?
What is your experience like with this very unpleasant thing?
There is definitely a powerful connection between our minds and pain. Of course, if you’re in pain, you can’t will it away, but if you focus on it and expect it to be bad, it will be worse than it otherwise would.
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I have been very fortunate to have experienced very little physical pain, or any health issues, really. But I am mindful and empathetic of those who do. It can negatively impact everything a person does, and thinking too much about it and focusing on it only compounds the problem.
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Excellent article and definitely in line with my thought philosophy. Thanks
👍🙏🏽 you’re welcome, Antonia.
This article provides a good explanation regarding the connection between pain and the mind. I was told once by my doctor that “pain is my friend.” I assume he meant to allow the pain and act as appropriate to address the pain – be it mental or physical pain.
👍🙏🏽 he was right.
We all have different thresholds for pain and some are far more sensitive than others. Psychological factors can exacerbate this.
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Your article on the science of pain is quite informative and engaging. I appreciate how you simplified complex concepts and made them accessible to readers. The use of relatable examples and anecdotes made the reading experience enjoyable. Keep up the excellent work!
👍🙏🏽 thank you.
It’s understandable to wonder why we feel pain, especially from those closest to us. Even as adults, navigating life’s complexities and the emotions that come with it can be challenging.
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People perceive pain differently similarly people manage pain differently. I strongly believe that if one diverts the mind from the pain they are experiencing it is easier to manage and control it..
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This is so helpful! My back has been aching recently and I was thinking about visiting a chiropractor. I’ve been struggling with anxiety recently and it didn’t even cross my mind the two could be tied together!
🙏🏽👍 I’m glad you do.
Our minds can play so many tricks on us. The phrase “mind over matter” comes to thought. But at the same time, pain can be very real, even if it is just in our heads.
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Physical pain is the hardest as you get older. Thats why its important to move your body and exercise.
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Great subject and I can relate to this 100%. I feel pain in my abdomen most days due to a weak stomach that moves frequently. Often, I am afraid to eat…It takes away all of my attention and energy, making me nervous all the time. A positive attitude can help a lot. Just that I am not such a positive person. That’s why I got those problems in the first place, I think. There are a lot of people in the world that are suffering much more than I do…
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This was a great read! I’ve never really thought about all the ways we can feel pain before.
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Currently in a lot of pain. It’s interesting to think of different ways to look at it – is it a punishment for over-exertion? a warning? or just a bi-product of your body healing itself? Honestly I have no idea
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I find that I have more pain as I get older. Whether it’s back pain from staying in the same position too long or a headache from bright lights/too much eye strain. Luckily, I have my friend Tylenol to help tell me brain I’m not in pain!
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Oh god, yes, there are so many different types of pain. I have a lot of back pain these days.
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You’re so right about the attitude we have towards pain. Being in the correct mindset can make such a difference!
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I can definitely relate. I have an anxious mind as well, so I always feel like the more I concentrate on the “pain”, the worse it feels. When I’m distracted, I rarely remember it exists.
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I’m anxious too. My mind is always crammed with a lot of things to do, but you are so right about the “mindset”
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There are definitely many kinds of pain, and a lot that we go through in our lives. Interesting to think about the role pain plays in our lives.
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I struggled with a lot of things throughout my body. Muscles and other parts, but doing exercises, stretching, and other methods to make it stop.
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The discussion on the factors influencing our perception of pain, such as attention, interpretation, and cultural attitudes, shed light on the subject in a thought-provoking way. It made me reflect on my own experiences and the various factors that may contribute to my own perception of pain.
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