Why We Need Pain

by Emily Curwood

(image: wiki commons)

If you ask someone if they know what pain is, everyone will say yes, we are all familiar with it, experienced it – it is big part of our lives. But if you asked someone to define pain, how we felt it, many people would not be able to provide an answer. The best way to describe pain is as an alarm, something created by the brain when it perceives damage or threat of damage. As a result the amount of pain relating to the amount of damage is a misconception; pain tells us there’s a problem but it is not a damage indicator, for we can have pain without damage but also damage without pain. Furthermore if pain persists, the link between pain and damage becomes very weak – resultantly pain is not good at telling us where the damage is (for example if you have a heart attack your arm can often hurt). So, if the extent of damage doesn’t control the level of pain we feel, then what does? Well, in the presence of pain the brain acts a switch: it can “turn up” the amplifier in the spinal cord or it can “turn down” the amplifier- if the amplifier is “turned up” then the body will essentially hear more “danger” signals. As a result of the brain deciding the level of pain we feel, whether or not to turn the amplifier up or down, means that our environment, our opinions and learning about pain can help decrease it.

I have written about the brain being in control of pain and its extremity, and that is due to something called neurotags. Neurotags aren’t certain cells or an area in the brain responsible for the pain response but instead of pattern of activity throughout the brain created when pain activates different brain cells. The parts of the brain involved in interpreting sensation, memory, emotions and movement are also involved in triggering a pain response, or pain neurotags. But it’s not just the danger signals, other things like fear or stress and even memories or beliefs about how strong you are can help trigger the activation of a neurotag and give you pain. Neurotags are also responsible for persistent pain; when a neurotag is coupled with other neurotags for movement thoughts, emotions and beliefs, the coupling makes it easier for it to report danger. As a result, the neurotag becomes more easily activated, this is called ‘sensitised’ and is the reason why pain can often be persistent.  

Finally, pain is so important because it is an extremely advantageous trait. Many view pain as an annoyance, as something they wish they could be rid of, but pain is protective, and it actually limits the amount of harm or damage we experience. For example when your hand gets near a fire you feel pain before damage occurs, and in response you automatically move your hand away to protect it, or if you sprain you ankle the pain you feel stops you from moving, preventing further damage. Furthermore, pain is vital to our healing, for acute injuries if pain persists, we rest and we are aware not to overuse the damaged area, giving us protection of further damage.

So next time you feel pain view is as trait that expresses the complexities of the human body and a way for our nervous system to work together in order to protect ourselves and limit the damage.