People Don't Mind Pain

When someone comes into the office, it’s often because they are feeling some sort of pain.  Pain can be physical in nature such as neck pain and back pain or it can be emotional/mental such as getting over a breakup, dealing with stress or anxiety.

Whatever the case, when people come in, they think that pain is what they want to get rid of.  This is not the case!  People don’t mind pain.  

Have you ever gone to the gym knowing that you would be sore the next day?  How about the experience of giving birth?  There’s usually physical pain associated with that.  We also know that at some point in our relationships, there will be an argument that leads to someone feeling emotional pain.  It’s not PAIN that people mind, it’s SUFFERING.  

Suffering because you don’t know when it will end or suffering that the pain is keeping you from doing something that brings you joy in life.  I had a patient who was “dealing” with her pain...until she couldn’t pick up her child anymore.

If you broke your arm, you would be in a cast for 6-8 weeks.  Pain would be involved, however, you would deal with it because you knew it was only for a short time.  On the other hand, not knowing if something will ever go away or if your body can heal?  That, leads to suffering.  People mind having pain and being fearful of it!

It is not how you feel that’s important, it’s how you feel about the way you feel.  How does your observer feel about how you feel?  

A symptom alone does not indicate if you are ill or well and it’s not the reason that motivates you to go into a doctor’s office.   Next time you are in pain, take the opportunity to learn about your pain and how you feel about it.

Need help learning about your pain?  Dr. Amanda offers free 15 minute consultations in office or over the phone.  613-761-1600