The Complex Nature of Pain: 3 Analogies to Help You Understand

I've seen 100 patients in pain this month

I told them all the same thing:

"THE PAIN IS IN YOUR HEAD!"

But not in those words since thats NOT helpful

Here's 3 analogies I use to help people understand the complex nature of their pain

They'll help you too pic.twitter.com/9lf6tRBzJt

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

1️⃣ Pain is context dependent

A hug from a friend?

😀😍

Same hug from a stranger in a dark alley?

😱😨

SAME stimulus

DIFFERENT response

context matters
-where are we?
-doing what?
-why?

The 🧠 process all this and decides instantly what do to pic.twitter.com/6NcTyJzrhv

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

2️⃣ 🧠 is a switchboard

Ever wake up with bruises and not sure how?

You were doing something SO important your 🧠 pumped out a bunch of natural pain killers and you FELT NO PAIN

You even damaged the skin

Context matters(again)

the 🧠 is weird, but can also work in reverse👇🏽

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

3️⃣Pain≠damage

My new patient broke her back

Tried to lift a 🐕 that fell between a chair and ottoman

Back popped, immediate pain, went to ER

Treated w/
•Pain meds
•6 months(‼️) in a brace

1st visit, EVERYTHING hurt

She's scared to move and cause more damage

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

Just telling you pain ≠ damage isn't enough

It has to be believable, so you need real personal examples

This pt is a nurse. She's been lifting/carrying people for years, never had an issue

She didn't hurt herself until she
-bent over
-twisted
-tried to lift something heavy pic.twitter.com/229J8REj5d

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

This example helped her understand

1️⃣her back is strong AND durable. been using it for YEARS

2️⃣her injury was caused by an EXTREME position. Something she RARELY does

Obviously moving still hurt, but she can now move WITHOUT fear

Something we take for granted pic.twitter.com/6tIvvAR3XA

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

Pain's complex since its an OUTPUT

The 🧠 asks the 5 W's and decides the INTENSITY of your pain

My analogies show ways the system works

Then we try to figure out YOUR inputs

YOU have the biggest control of those inputs, no one else

I'm the tour guide, not the artist

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023

reminder to sign up for the newsletter for all things pain and injury https://t.co/ItnWVbNvSM

— Bengal THE Jungle’s Physio (@BowTied_Bengal) April 11, 2023