Pain is something almost everyone deals with at some point. It becomes more common as we get older, and women tend to feel it more than men.
Different Types of Pain
There are two main types of pain:
- Acute pain – This happens suddenly, usually because of an injury or a health issue. It doesn’t last long.
- Chronic pain – This sticks around longer than expected, usually for more than three months.
Pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp stab. It might be in one spot or spread across different parts of your body. It can range from mildly annoying to completely overwhelming.
Managing Pain
Your emotions play a big role in how you experience pain. Understanding why you’re hurting and learning ways to manage it can really improve your life.
Some common ways to manage pain include:
- Pain medicines
- Physical therapies (like using heat or cold packs, massage, hydrotherapy, or exercise)
- Psychological therapies (like cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation techniques)
- Mind-body techniques (like acupuncture)
- Support groups in the community
Common Causes of Pain
Adults often experience pain from:
- Injuries
- Medical conditions (like arthritis, cancer, or back problems)
- Surgery
How Pain Works
Pain is your body’s way of protecting you from harm. It’s a warning system.
Your body has special sensors called pain receptors, which are connected to two types of nerves:
- One type sends quick messages, causing sudden, sharp pain.
- The other sends slower messages, causing a dull, throbbing ache.
Some parts of your body, like your skin, have lots of pain receptors, so you can easily tell exactly where you’re hurt. Other areas, like your gut, have fewer receptors, making it harder to pinpoint stomach pain.
When you touch something dangerous, like a hot stove, your nerves send a message to your spinal cord and brain. Sometimes your spinal cord reacts immediately, making your muscles jerk away before you even feel the pain — that’s a reflex.
Once the message reaches the brain (specifically a part called the thalamus), it sorts through the information based on your past experiences, beliefs, and even your mood. That’s why everyone feels pain differently.
Also Read: What are the Top Pain Management Tips Recommended by Physiotherapists?
Managing Pain Without Medicine
There are plenty of non-medicine ways to help manage pain, often more effective when combined:
- Heat or cold: Ice packs are great right after an injury to reduce swelling. Heat packs work better for ongoing muscle or joint pain.
- Physical therapy: Gentle exercises like walking, stretching, and strengthening help reduce pain, keep you moving, and boost your mood. Just start slow to avoid overdoing it.
- Massage: Good for soft tissue injuries, but not ideal if your pain is in the joints.
- Relaxation techniques: Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can ease both pain and stress.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This helps you change how you think about pain, which can change how you feel and act.
- Acupuncture: Tiny needles are placed on certain points of the body to help release natural painkillers. Some people find it helpful, although research is still unclear.
- TENS therapy: This uses mild electrical currents to stimulate your nerves. Some people with chronic pain find it helpful, though more studies are needed.
Your doctor can guide you toward the best options for you.
Pain Medicines
Most people will take pain medicine at some point. Here are the main types:
- Paracetamol: Often the first choice for short-term pain.
- Aspirin: Helps with mild to moderate pain like headaches or period cramps.
- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen): Help with both pain and swelling.
- Opioids (like codeine or morphine): Used for severe or cancer-related pain.
- Local anaesthetics: Drops, creams, sprays, or injections that numb specific areas.
- Antidepressants and anti-epileptics: Sometimes used to treat nerve pain.
How Pain Medicines Work
Pain medicines work in different ways:
- NSAIDs (like aspirin) reduce inflammation and fever by blocking chemicals called prostaglandins, which cause swelling and pain.
- Opioids work differently; they change how your brain processes pain signals, but they can be addictive.
Picking the Right Pain Medicine
Choosing the best painkiller depends on:
- Where and how bad the pain is
- What activities make it better or worse
- How it affects your life (like your sleep or appetite)
- Your other health conditions and any other medicines you take
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find the safest and most effective option for you.
Also Read: What Techniques do Doctors Recommend for Acute Pain Relief?
Using Pain Medicines Safely
Always follow the instructions when taking pain medicines. Doing this helps:
- Manage your pain better
- Avoid needing higher doses
- Lower your risk of side effects
For chronic pain, it’s usually better to take medicines regularly rather than waiting for pain to get worse.
And remember: don’t rely only on medicines. Staying active, pacing yourself, and learning coping strategies can really help.
Common Side Effects
Pain medicines can have side effects:
- Paracetamol: Rare side effects if used properly, but too much can damage the liver.
- Aspirin: Can cause stomach problems, nausea, and in rare cases, serious issues like bleeding ulcers or asthma attacks.
- NSAIDs: Can upset your stomach, cause headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, or heart issues.
- Opioids: Commonly cause drowsiness, confusion, constipation, and can be addictive. They can even slow breathing if misused.
Always check the information leaflet and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicine.
Precautions with Pain Medicines
Pain medicines, even the ones you buy at the store, need to be used carefully. Some tips:
- Avoid self-medicating during pregnancy without advice — some medicines can harm the baby.
- Be cautious with older adults — they are more sensitive to side effects.
- Always ask the pharmacist about interactions with other medicines you’re taking.
- Don’t mix different over-the-counter medicines without checking first — it’s easy to accidentally take too much.
- Don’t “push through” with painkillers for sports injuries — get proper treatment.
- If you have a long-term health condition like heart disease or diabetes, check with your doctor before using any new medicine.
Also Read: What are the Latest Expert‑Approved Methods for Injury Recovery?
When Pain Doesn’t Go Away
Sometimes, pain hangs around even after treatment. This can be tough emotionally. Here’s what can help:
- Focus on improving what you can do, rather than trying to eliminate pain completely.
- Accept that flare-ups might happen and have a plan for getting through them.
- Learn more about your condition — knowledge can ease a lot of fear.
- Stay connected with friends and family — support makes a big difference.
- If you’re feeling down, talk to someone — a friend, counsellor, or doctor.
- Don’t change your medicine dose without checking with your doctor first.
- Take care of your body: eat well, stay active, and get enough sleep.
- Try to keep doing things you enjoy, even if you have to go slower or modify activities.
- Look for fun activities that don’t make your pain worse.
- Keep learning new ways to cope and adapt.
