What It Means to Be in Pain: Understanding the Science Behind Discomfort

Feb 17

3 min read

Pain is something everyone experiences at some point in life. Whether it’s a stubbed toe, a sore back, or a persistent ache that just won’t go away, pain is the body’s way of signaling that something needs attention. But what actually happens when we feel pain? Why does it sometimes disappear quickly, while other times it lingers for months or even years? At Advantage Therapy, we believe that understanding pain is the first step toward managing it effectively.

The Science of Pain: How Pain Receptors Work

Pain isn’t just a feeling—it’s a complex biological response involving the nervous system. When you get injured, specialized nerve endings called nociceptors detect the damage. These receptors send electrical signals through your spinal cord to the brain, where they are interpreted as pain.

Your body has different types of nociceptors, each designed to respond to specific kinds of stimuli:

Thermal receptors react to extreme heat or cold.
Mechanical receptors respond to physical injuries, like cuts or pressure.
Chemical receptors detect inflammation or irritation from substances like acid or toxins.

Once the brain receives these signals, it decides how intense the pain should feel. If the injury is serious, the brain amplifies the signal to make sure you take action—like pulling your hand away from a hot stove. However, sometimes the pain signals persist even after the injury heals, leading to chronic pain.

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain

Not all pain is the same. While acute pain is a temporary warning system, chronic pain is a condition in itself.

Acute Pain: This type of pain happens suddenly and usually resolves once the injury heals. Examples include a sprained ankle, a paper cut, or a pulled muscle.
Chronic Pain: Pain that lasts longer than three months is classified as chronic. It may stem from an initial injury, but in many cases, it continues without a clear cause.

Chronic pain often involves neuroplasticity, meaning the nervous system rewires itself to keep sending pain signals even when there’s no longer a physical injury. This is common in conditions like sciatica, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy.

Common Types of Pain and Why They Occur

Sciatica: When the Nerves Get Irritated

Sciatica is a classic example of nerve pain, which occurs when the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body—becomes compressed or irritated. This can happen due to a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or even muscle tightness in the lower back (like piriformis syndrome).

Symptoms of sciatica include:

✔ Sharp, shooting pain down the leg

✔ Numbness or tingling in the foot

✔ Weakness in the leg or difficulty walking

Sciatic pain can be debilitating, but targeted manual therapy, spinal mobilizations, and dry needling can help release nerve tension and restore movement.

Arthritis: When the Joints Wear Down

Arthritis is a degenerative condition where the cartilage in the joints breaks down, leading to inflammation and stiffness. The two most common types are:

Osteoarthritis (OA): Caused by wear and tear over time, often affecting the knees, hips, and hands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own joints.

Arthritis pain tends to be chronic because it involves persistent inflammation, structural damage, and changes in the nervous system's pain response.

Why Some People Feel Pain More Than Others

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a higher pain tolerance? This is due to a combination of factors, including:

✅ Genetics: Some people are naturally more sensitive to pain due to differences in their nervous system.

✅ Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can increase pain perception.

✅ Previous Injuries: The body “remembers” past pain and may respond more aggressively to future injuries.

This is why a personalized approach to pain management is crucial—what works for one person may not work for another.

How to Take Control of Your Pain

Pain management isn’t just about masking symptoms with painkillers. At Advantage Therapy, we focus on getting to the root cause of pain through hands-on techniques, movement therapy, and nervous system regulation.

✔ Dry Needling to release trigger points and reset nerve pathways

✔ Manual Manipulation to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness

✔ Soft Tissue Mobilization to decrease inflammation and promote healing

✔ Strength and Stability Training to prevent future pain episodes

Pain is not something you should have to live with. Whether you're dealing with acute or chronic pain, understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step toward relief.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If pain is interfering with your life, don’t wait—contact Advantage Therapy today. We’ll help you find a long-term solution so you can move, work, and live without limitations.