Pain as a Point of Reference

A point of reference is crucial in any conversation. Without context many words and actions lose their meaning. In physical therapy pain tends to be that point of reference for which all conversation revolves around. The way we talk about it is important, and the understanding of what it means is crucial.

Nearly everyone has felt a sense of pain, the alarm system letting you know that something may be harming you. It is a protective mechanism to reduce your risk of injury. Pain is an incredible tool, and we are quite fortunate to possess it. There are those that are deficient in this sensation, making life even more challenging in a number of ways. That being said, it tends to be an unpleasant sensation that most of my patients would prefer to be rid of. It is the centerpiece of our treatment sessions typically, and we spend much of our time trying to eliminate it.

Pain is a focal point when it arrives, sometimes there is no ability to focus on anything else. One way to reimagine the experience is to consider all of the other areas of your body that are not in pain. How might they be complicit in the sensation? For instance, knee pain is incredibly common, however all too often, the pain is an outcome of some other region’s contributions or lack thereof. The point of reference gets all the attention and glory, it’s a shiny new sensation. The real question about its origins may lie in far off places. Reframing the situation can be helpful not only in solving the problem, but also in gaining a deeper understanding of how to manage it.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist