Moving through chronic pain
Chronic pain can last for months or years, sometimes without a clear cause. It can disrupt daily routines and persist even after the body appears to have healed. Medications and procedures may help some people, but often the pain remains.
Pain is a protective signal generated by the brain. In most cases, it’s helpful — it prompts you to rest after injury or avoid harm. But sometimes pain continues beyond tissue healing. In these cases, the issue is less about ongoing damage and more about how the nervous system has adapted.
Pain can also occur without injury, such as in phantom limb pain. This shows that pain is shaped by the brain’s assessment of threat, not just by the state of the body. Over time, the nervous system can become more efficient at producing pain signals, even when there is no danger.
The role of the brain and spinal cord
Your brain constantly receives signals from the body, but only some of these result in pain. Past experiences, emotions, and environmental cues all influence whether pain is produced. If the brain perceives threat, it may trigger pain even when tissues are healthy.
The spinal cord can also become sensitised, amplifying signals so they no longer match what is happening in the body. This can lead to pain that spreads, changes location, or flares without a clear trigger.
Movement as part of recovery
Gradual, consistent movement can help reduce pain sensitivity. Physical activity provides new input to the nervous system, helping it recalibrate and respond more appropriately to signals from the body.
Progress does not require avoiding all discomfort. Small, safe increases in activity can improve tolerance and confidence. This may involve changing your current exercise routine or trying new approaches with professional guidance.
Learning how your body responds to different types of movement can change how you experience pain. The human body adapts to use, and with the right approach, movement can improve both physical capacity and symptom control.
