Pain Does Not Equal Damage
One of the most common misconceptions about pain is that it always means something is “wrong”- that pain automatically equals damage.
But the truth is, pain is much more complex than that.
Pain is your body’s alarm system
Pain is your body’s way of protecting you. It’s like an alarm system that alerts you to potential danger- whether that’s a burn, a sprain, or even just the possibility of harm.
Think of it like a smoke alarm.
Sometimes it goes off because you’ve burnt the toast, not because there’s an actual fire.
The alarm is doing its job- being cautious- but it doesn’t always mean there’s real danger.
When the alarm gets a little too sensitive
Sometimes, your body’s “pain alarm” can become overly sensitive.
It might stay switched on even after tissues have healed, or it might go off too quickly when you’re stressed, tired, run down, or even when your body remembers a previous injury.
This is called central sensitisation, and it means your nervous system is on high alert- like a smoke alarm that’s been turned up too loud.
Understanding this helps reduce fear around movement and pain, and gives you the confidence to get back to doing the things you enjoy.
How to calm your system down
The good news is, you can train your body and brain to turn the volume down on pain.
Gentle movement, hands-on treatment, relaxation, and breathing techniques can all help reset that overactive alarm system.
At Whole Body Osteopathy, we focus on understanding why your alarm is going off- not just silencing it. Through assessment, education, and personalised treatment, we help your body feel safe to move again.
The takeaway
Pain doesn’t always mean there’s damage.
It’s your body’s way of communicating and protecting.
When you understand what’s happening, it becomes less scary- and that’s a big step toward recovery.