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As someone with chronic back pain stemming from a clear event (car accident), I still have the feeling that a substantial amount of my pain is reflecting a chan

As someone with chronic back pain stemming from a clear event (car accident), I still have the feeling that a substantial amount of my pain is reflecting a change in my brain. It almost feels like my brain’s processing of pain was recalibrated, so that I now notice other forms of pain which might’ve flown under the radar previously. And that baseline of pain, in my back and elsewhere, certainly tracks with my overall level of depression/anxiety.

tunap 5y ago
I crushed my ribcage & sternum 20+ years ago & still live with pain in my shoulders and the vertebrae below my neck. When my day is running well(enough), the pain is present but barely registers in my consciousness. When non-physical tasks are a chore &/or I am depressed, they burn hotter than the sun. Physical activities seem to be the only remedy to abate it. I've found nothing beyond exercise relieves the pain when it's lit up: anti-inflams / pain killers don't do anything, chiropractors didn't help and imaging indicated no trauma to my spine. Perhaps it's some sort of arthritis or psychosomatic reminder, IDK, it's just another item on my 'getting old sucks' list.
- hesdeadjim 5y ago
  I’ve had far too many injuries in my life due to enjoyment of adrenaline sports, and like you exercise is the only thing that seems to clear out the pain. Funny enough, letting my six year old beat the crap out of me while wrestling with her has been some of the best PT I’ve had.
foamswimsuit 5y ago
That describes exactly the neurological theories and approach of the physical therapy office I go to. The idea is that after traumatic events, the brain can recalibrate its pain registration threshold. Through the process of pushing to the edge of that boundary (and just barely beyond), over time it teaches your brain to reset back to a normal level. I have been to many physical therapists and this was very unique and compelling for me, and several months in I am on a good path.
andai 5y ago
I get occasional mild toothaches, but when I took psychedelics the feeling was amplified 50x. I think the body is sending these kinds of signals continuously and the brain just filters them out if they're mild enough. Psychedelics seem to lower the "volume" it takes to notice something.

tunap 5y ago

I crushed my ribcage & sternum 20+ years ago & still live with pain in my shoulders and the vertebrae below my neck. When my day is running well(enough), the pain is present but barely registers in my consciousness. When non-physical tasks are a chore &/or I am depressed, they burn hotter than the sun. Physical activities seem to be the only remedy to abate it. I've found nothing beyond exercise relieves the pain when it's lit up: anti-inflams / pain killers don't do anything, chiropractors didn't help and imaging indicated no trauma to my spine. Perhaps it's some sort of arthritis or psychosomatic reminder, IDK, it's just another item on my 'getting old sucks' list.

hesdeadjim 5y ago
I’ve had far too many injuries in my life due to enjoyment of adrenaline sports, and like you exercise is the only thing that seems to clear out the pain. Funny enough, letting my six year old beat the crap out of me while wrestling with her has been some of the best PT I’ve had.

foamswimsuit 5y ago

That describes exactly the neurological theories and approach of the physical therapy office I go to. The idea is that after traumatic events, the brain can recalibrate its pain registration threshold. Through the process of pushing to the edge of that boundary (and just barely beyond), over time it teaches your brain to reset back to a normal level. I have been to many physical therapists and this was very unique and compelling for me, and several months in I am on a good path.

andai 5y ago

I get occasional mild toothaches, but when I took psychedelics the feeling was amplified 50x. I think the body is sending these kinds of signals continuously and the brain just filters them out if they're mild enough. Psychedelics seem to lower the "volume" it takes to notice something.