What is pain telling you?

Pain is a warning signal advising that there is a problem. When we take time to listen to the pain, it can help us determine the cause. Pain begins after damage has already occurred in the tissues, ligaments and/ or joints. Common symptoms associated with acute pain include increased blood pressure, dilated pupils and increased respiration which can lead to physiological changes including distress, poor concentration, and restlessness.

Diagnosis of the cause of pain is crucial for many reasons but the most important reason is to rule out serious or progression conditions. Intervention and clarification is important for a successful plan of treatment. There are different types of pain, called nociceptive and non-nociceptive pain. Nociceptive pain involves both the viscera (internal organs) and somatic (dealing with the body). This type of pain results from inflammation and tissue damage that stimulates pain nerve endings. The symptoms generally characterized with nociceptive pain are described as aching, sharp, intense, stabbing, tenderness, localized or poorly localized, cramping, and deep. Another type of pain is non-nociceptive pain which involves neurogenic (caused or arising from the nervous system) and psychogenic (having a psychological origin rather than a physical one). The symptoms associated with neurogenic non-nociceptive pain include tingling, numbness, shooting and burning. Symptoms associated with psychogenic pain can include headaches, abdominal pain, anger, sadness and anxiety.

Pain cycles for many can begin with poor posture and unbalanced motion leading to chronic pain and potential risk of injury. Once areas are injured, the body has a tendency to compensate in an effort to avoid pain. It is recommended that you get evaluated any time you sustain a traumatic event including motor vehicle accidents (even low impact), slips or falls, sports injuries, or experience daily repetitive activities at work or home that cause any discomfort. The best approach to health is a proactive approach and we encourage this in our office. We want to help you address the essentials of health which will not only help you save money but help increase your quality of life. After any trauma, our goal is to aid in your recovery by restoring proper range of motion, strength and function to your spine with a specific plan including chiropractic care, nutrition, stretching and postural strengthening exercises.

Give us a call for a complimentary consultation and see if our office is the right fit for you.

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Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr. is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 966-4425.