Pain—a short word, yet profoundly complex. It’s more than just a physical sensation; it’s deeply connected to our mental and emotional well-being. The interplay between body and mind in the pain experience is well illustrated by the pain cycle diagram below.
When we experience pain, we tend to move less, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Over time, this inactivity can contribute to muscle weakness, stiffness, and even more pain—a cycle that can feel difficult to escape. On top of that, pain can cause worry and stress, which heighten our sensitivity to discomfort, amplifying the sensation even further. The result? A self-perpetuating loop of pain, inactivity, and distress.
Breaking the Pain Cycle
So, how do we reset this cycle? How can we safely reintroduce movement into our daily lives despite pain?
One of the biggest challenges is fear—fear of movement, fear of making the pain worse. But understanding how pain works can shift our perception. Instead of viewing pain as an all-powerful force, we can start to see it as valuable information—signals from our body that guide rather than control us. When we change our relationship with pain, we regain a sense of control.
Gentle movement plays a key role in breaking the cycle. Rather than avoiding activity altogether, finding safe, progressive ways to move can help desensitize the nervous system and restore function. Chiropractic care can be a valuable tool in this process, helping assess movement restrictions and safely reintroduce mobility to painful or stiff joints.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious about the science behind pain, I highly recommend this TED Talk by neuroscientist Lorimer Moseley: Why Things Hurt. He explains how our brain interprets pain and why understanding it can be a powerful step toward managing it.
By shifting how we think about pain and incorporating movement gradually, we can take back control—one step at a time.
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