Many people think they should push through pain – and so struggle along with the mantra ‘no pain, no gain’. Others will try their best not to think about their pain. Some will simply give up the activity that was proving painful.
Unfortunately, none of these approaches are helpful – and they can leave you feeling stuck or broken.
Your brain learns by recognising patterns. It might learn your pattern of trying too hard – and that by pushing through pain, an unpleasant period of ‘paying for it’ will follow. Your brain soon learns that you often repeat this sequence. You then get trapped in a ‘cycle of suffering’ as your brain has effectively learned and remembered the sequence. It even begins to predict the suffering that follows before you have actually reached the point of experiencing pain. The end result is that you begin to feel pain sooner and sooner.
When you feel pain, your brain is usually trying to tell you something. It’s not always related to damaged tissue. For instance, it could be due to you feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. It could be your environment or current situation.
It’s often helpful to stop and think about what your brain might be trying to tell you. I’ll encourage you to look deep inside and ask yourself about that painful area. Are there any familiar thought patterns or emotions that you have in relation to where it hurts? An example of this could be, “Oh it’s my dodgy back – it’s always been weak because of the bulging disc in my spine.”
Rather than pushing through pain, you can proceed at a more gentle pace. Ideally you are looking to find the sweet spot – not too much, and not too little. Like Goldilocks. Exercising just the right amount lets you know you are doing something good, but not overdoing it.
Exercising to the point of pain, but not pushing through it, will keep the brain feeling safe and comfortable. Over time, new patterns will be established in your brain – allowing you to keep active while staying pain free.
As The Mind & Body Guide, my approach to therapy is to help you to understand yourself mentally and physically.
I have decades of experience in health care, including years spent working as a senior physiotherapist in the NHS. I’ve taught Pilates to hundreds of people. And I’m a qualified psychotherapist with a suite of therapy skills to draw on.
By working together we can plot your pathway to a healthier, happier life.
