West Los Angeles Handbook 2023 - 49

Why do people react differently to pain?
People react differently to pain for several reasons.
Physical reasons
The sensitivity of your nervous system and the severity
of your condition determine how your body reacts to
pain. These factors determine whether your nerves will
send or block pain signals.
Emotional and social reasons
Other factors that affect how you react to pain and how
much pain you feel include your fears and anxieties
about pain, previous experiences with pain, energy
level, and attitude about your condition. The way people
around you react to pain may also affect how you
personally react to pain.
Whatever the reason, many people have discovered that
by learning and practicing pain management skills, it is
possible to reduce pain.
How does the body control pain?
Pain signals are sent through a complex system of
nerves in your brain and spinal cord. Your body tries
to stop these signals from reaching their destination by
creating chemicals that help block pain signals. These
chemicals, called endorphins (en-DOOR-fins), are
morphine-like painkilling substances that decrease the
pain sensation.
The body produces endorphins in response to different
kinds of " controls. " These include natural controls,
such as your own thoughts and emotions. For example,
imagine that a parent who is driving with their children
is hurt in a car accident. The parent is so worried about
their children that they don't feel the pain from their
own broken arm. The concern for their children has
blocked the pain signal and kept the pain from affecting
them.
The body also produces endorphins in response to
" outside " controls, such as medicine. Morphine is one
example of a powerful pain-blocking medicine.
Other outside pain control methods, such as exercise,
relaxation, massage, and heat and cold treatment, can
stimulate the body to either release endorphins or block
pain signals in other ways.
What can make your pain feel worse?
The following factors can make your pain feel worse:
* Increased disease activity
* Excessive physical activity
* Fatigue
* Depression
* Stress
* Dwelling on pain
* Anxiety
What can block pain signals?
The following exercises and techniques can block pain
signals:
* Positive attitude and pleasant thoughts
* Carefully monitored exercise
* Relaxation
* Massage
* Pleasing sights
* Humor
* Medication
* Distraction
* Topical lotions
* Heat and cold treatments
Source: Managing Your Pain, copyright ©1995 by the Arthritis
Foundation.
We experience two general categories of pain. Acute
pain is the result of injury, like a broken leg or surgery.
The pain usually resolves in days to weeks, but can
last up to three to six months. Acute pain is the direct
result of injury and resolves naturally over time.
Chronic pain lasts at least six months and can go on
for years. It is the result of a long lasting injury (i.e. a
ruptured disc), long lasting inflammation (i.e. arthritis)
or a longstanding change in how our nerves respond
to past injury, establishing a lasting, abnormal pain
response in the absence of tissue injury. Chronic pain
alters people's lives in many ways, including loss of
physical functioning, ruined relationships, lost jobs
and undermining joy. Chronic pain does not respond
well to opioid pain medication over time, resulting in
increased dosages with associated problems, including
addiction. Chronic pain needs a more holistic approach
with multiple types of treatment which can include
medication, exercise, relaxation techniques, and other
medical interventions.
48
West Los Angeles Handbook 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Los Angeles Handbook 2023
