Understanding Pain Beyond Injury
Pain is your body’s natural way of warning you that something might be wrong. But the amount of pain you feel doesn’t always match the amount of actual injury.
Pain is complex and can be influenced not only by the physical injury, but also by emotions and mental health. If you feel any kind of pain, take a moment to check in with your body and see if you can tell where it’s coming from. Understanding whether the pain is from a muscle, a nerve, stress, anxiety, or something else is the first step in dealing with it.
There are two main types of pain: acute and chronic.
Acute pain starts suddenly and usually has a clear cause, like an injury. It normally goes away once the body heals.
Examples of things that can cause acute pain include:
- Broken Bones
- Burns or Cuts
- Surgery
- Dental Work
- Muscle Spasms
- Nerve Injuries
Chronic pain lasts for a long time—usually more than six months. It can continue even after the original injury or illness has healed. Sometimes people have chronic pain even when there’s no clear cause or body damage. Pain signals stay active in the nervous system for a long time, which is why the pain continues.
Chronic pain is linked to conditions like:
- Headaches
- Arthritis
- Cancer pain
- Nerve pain
- Back pain
- Fibromyalgia
Pain can negatively affect productivity, concentration and morale in the workplace. What can you do at work to decrease fatigue and soreness? One helpful strategy is to break up repetitive work tasks by taking microbreaks. A microbreak is a short pause, usually less than a minute, that helps your body rest and reset. Try taking a microbreak every hour, or more often if you need it. These quick breaks can help reduce muscle strain, improve focus, and keep your body from getting too tired or sore.
