Pain

Pain is common. 

Back pain is the number one diagnosis physical therapists treat. 

Low back, hip, and pelvic pain including the sacrum are very interrelated due to their close proximity.

Pain can stem from a specific event or emerge over time. Pain can be frightening because it can be unpredictable in severity, duration, or both. 

The brain is instrumental in pain as it concludes that tissues are under threat and need corrective action to heal the behavior. Pain is multifactorial as it is also used to explain emotional situations (grief, loss, failure, loneliness). If physical pain or injury has accompanied emotional pain, both often are more severe in terms of chronicity and duration. When pain continues, the brain has identified that something is posing a threat, and until change occurs likely will continue. 

The amount of pain you experience does not necessarily relate to the amount of damage that has occurred. Two people can experience the same event or injury and have completely different levels of pain. 

Overworked muscles become tired and cranky. Underworked muscles often become short/tight and weak. The same is true for joints, if one becomes stuck another will become loose to overcompensate. All of these combinations usually lead to increased pain. 

As movement specialists, physical therapists can help identify the dysfunctions in posture, daily function, and extra activities that can be inhibitors and causes of daily pain and provide corrective exercises, mobility, and modifications to improve pain and function. We can also provide a lot more individualized education on pain science which is fascinating and complex. 

Have you experienced any of this? If so, it’d be a great time to get evaluated by a physical therapist. We need our bodies feeling good and performing optimally for the long haul!