Chronic Pain Cycle: My Story
I injured my back in the military. I was 19 and suffered a compressed spinal column injury and bulging discs in my low back (L4, L5, and S1). I ignored it for far longer than I should have. My career required that I wear upwards of 50 lbs of gear. If I was out of commission, my teammates suffered. The military doctors threatened to sideline me if I continued seeking pain management. Surgery or medical discharge.
I was young, stupid, and intimidated by threats and dealt with the pain and stopped any treatment. My body adapted and the pain signals, while present, became something I could ignore. My body, on the other hand, didn’t ignore it. I started clenching my jaw, from the discomfort of my low back pain. I was diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction and jaw grinding. This gave me chronic headaches.
My pain persisted for more than a decade until I invested in my well-being. I had been separated from the military and practicing as a massage therapist when I became friends with a massage therapist that was experienced in iliopsoas work. The iliopsoas is a hip flexor muscle that is quite uncomfortable to work on. But it gave me relief. It wasn’t immediate, but there was an immediate connection with the iliopsoas work and the relief. As she worked this area, I knew it was what my body needed. I continued self-care to reinforce the work she did. We were working together for 90 minutes every other week for 6 months before my back pain became a negligible twinge maybe once or twice a month.
This is the type of result I strive to offer to everyone! Chronic pain is not something any of us should have to endure. The chronic pain cycle is a complex interplay of physical, emotional, and psychological factors that perpetuate and exacerbate the experience of persistent pain. It typically involves a feedback loop wherein pain triggers various responses and adaptations in the body and mind, leading to further pain and dysfunction. Understanding the chronic pain cycle is crucial for effectively managing and breaking free from the cycle of suffering.
The chronic pain cycle often begins with an initial injury or condition that causes acute pain. As the pain persists beyond the expected healing time, it can lead to changes in the nervous system, including increased sensitivity to pain signals (hyperalgesia) and alterations in pain processing (central sensitization). These changes amplify the perception of pain, making it more intense and persistent.
Physical factors such as muscle tension, inflammation, and structural abnormalities may contribute to ongoing pain and dysfunction. Additionally, emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression can exacerbate pain by amplifying pain perception, altering pain thresholds, and affecting coping mechanisms. Psychological factors like fear of movement, catastrophizing thoughts, and maladaptive beliefs about pain can further perpetuate the cycle by leading to avoidance behaviors and reduced physical activity.
The chronic pain cycle is often characterized by a range of interconnected symptoms and consequences, including decreased mobility and function, disrupted sleep patterns, fatigue, mood disturbances, and social isolation. These symptoms can further impact an individual's quality of life and contribute to the persistence of pain.
Breaking free from the chronic pain cycle requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychosocial aspects of pain. This may involve a combination of treatments. In my case, I used regular massage, myofascial cupping therapy, lidocaine patches, self-massage techniques, stretching, appropriate weight training to strengthen specific muscle groups, a bite guard for my jaw clenching, and listening to my body as soon as I felt a twinge of discomfort. Once I got my back pain under control, my chronic jaw clenching lessened, and my headaches became less frequent. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to pain and adopting strategies to manage symptoms, individuals can interrupt the cycle of chronic pain and regain control over their lives.
