Pain Is Complex: Understanding Acute Pain and Holistic Remedies for Pain.
By Hyon Joo Hong, Non-Physician Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Understanding Pain, Acute Pain, and Holistic Pain Remedies
Pain is highly complex and multifaceted; there's a whole medical specialty devoted to it (dolorology or algology). But don't be discouraged. The more you know about pain, the better equipped you'll be to find relief. In this blog, we'll examine what pain means, take a closer look at acute pain, and explore a holistic approach to understanding and managing its impact on our lives.
Why It's Important to Understand the Meaning of Pain
Before diving into acute pain, it's essential to understand pain in general. Why? Because our perceptions of pain shape how we treat it and validate individual experiences. Without a clear grasp of the concept of pain, pain can be misunderstood, oversimplified, or dismissed, leading to inadequate care and support.
All that being said, have you ever thought about what pain actually is?
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as: "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage."
I find this definition intriguing because it highlights the complexity of pain - it's not just a physical sensation but also an emotional experience, deeply personal and influenced by many factors. It's a reminder that pain isn't solely about tissue damage. It's about how we perceive and interpret our bodily signals.
IASP also points out that "individuals learn the concept of pain through their life experiences" and that "a person's report of pain should always be respected."
A Holistic View of Pain
The bio-psycho-social model of pain emphasizes looking beyond physical injuries, like a herniated disc. It considers the patient's social and emotional context - isolation, interpersonal stress, and financial burdens would all be of importance.
But understanding pain doesn't stop there. The field of Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinology (PNIE) examines how the brain, nervous system, immune system, and endocrine (hormone) system interact. These systems influence other systems like:
• Cardiovascular system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Digestive system
This whole-body connection shapes pain and its perception.
Think about a time you experienced acute back or neck pain - not only was it physically uncomfortable, but it likely left you feeling frustrated or low in mood. Or maybe it was emotional stress that triggered the acute pain in the first place.
Perhaps your heart raced, or you felt a wave of anxiety, highlighting how your cardiovascular and nervous systems respond to discomfort. You might have also noticed your stomach feeling sensitive or unsettled, showing how interconnected these systems are.
This interconnectedness brings to mind the concept of Gestalt - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When it comes to pain, this idea reminds us that pain is more than a physical sensation. It's a holistic experience, encompassing:
• Sensations
• Thoughts
• Emotions
• The context in which it arises.
This holistic view suggests that to truly understand pain, we need to consider all these aspects and address the whole person rather than just isolating the physical symptoms.
Does this approach remind you of any therapies that address the whole person?
Acute Pain Definition: Navigating Acute Pain
Here's a simple acute pain definition - acute pain, unlike chronic pain, is a sudden, sharp sensation that often serves as the body's warning signal. It typically results from: • Injury
• Surgery
• Trauma
It typically resolves once the underlying cause is addressed.
However, it can be incredibly difficult to endure in the moment. The intensity of acute pain can make it hard to believe it's temporary, leaving some fearful that it will worsen or persist indefinitely, amplifying their distress.
I recall an experience from my time working at an osteopathy student clinic. A colleague treated an immigrant father in his 40s who was suffering from acute back pain. He didn't speak English well and screamed in agony during the session, leaving the treating student shaken.
Our supervisor later discovered that this man was also facing a serious financial crisis and uncertainty regarding his visa status, adding an emotional layer to his physical pain. Despite the dramatic intensity of his pain, the imaging results from his GP a few days before showed no abnormalities, highlighting that acute pain doesn't always correlate with structural damage.
Such experiences have profoundly shaped my understanding of acute pain. It's crucial to watch for red-flag symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying condition requiring urgent medical attention.
However, the immediate priority in moments of acute intense pain is managing the nervous system's response. Acute pain often triggers a heightened state of fear and panic, which can amplify the perception of pain and create a vicious cycle. In these moments, providing reassurance, helping the individual regulate their breathing, and creating a calm environment can significantly ease their distress.
What Pain Teaches Us from a Holistic Perspective
Pain is deeply human. It requires our attention, disrupts our routines, and often teaches us lessons about our bodies, emotions, and resilience. Understanding pain means looking at it through a holistic lens, respecting its complexity, and acknowledging the deeply personal nature of the experience.
Osteopathy embraces this holistic perspective, considering the body, mind, and environment in assessing pain, especially acute pain. While it's understandable that a client's attention may be focused solely on the site of acute pain, osteopathy seeks to understand the interconnectedness within and beyond the body.
This comprehensive approach recognizes that pain often arises from a complex web of factors, and healing requires addressing more than just the symptoms.
Osteopathy: An Effective Holistic Pain Relief Remedy
When seeking acute pain relief, consider holistic remedies for pain, like osteopathy. Osteopathy is guided by the principle that "the body is capable of self-regulation, having the inherent capacity to maintain its own health and to heal itself." It supports the body's natural ability to recover and restore balance.
Osteopathic manual therapy doesn’t seek temporary relief, though acute pain may be what brings someone in. It's about moving beyond pain and thriving in life with ease and vitality.
Holistic Pain Relief for Acute Pain
My hope is that you won't experience acute pain and that you stay in your best shape, which requires self-care and consistent support for your body. Whether it's spending time in nature, sharing meals and laughter with friends, or enjoying a group fitness class, sauna, or hands-on therapy, taking time for yourself is a necessity.
However, if you need additional support with nutrition, movement, functional medicine, or more, we have a wonderful network of collaborative practitioners and would be happy to share referrals.