Pain is more than just ‘where it hurts’
If you live with persistent pain, it can be very easy to think of it as something that simply comes from the area of your body that hurts. Your back hurts, so the problem must be your back. Your knee hurts, so the knee must be the whole story.
But our understanding of pain is changing.
A recent article in The Independent, featuring pain scientist Dr Rachel Zoffness, (https://bit.ly/4gyT9Lu), highlights something we see every day at Natural Balance Physiotherapy & Sports Injury: pain is much more complex than simply what is happening in one part of the body.
This fits very closely with the Natural Balance way of working.
Pain is personal
Pain is a very clever protective system. It is influenced by information coming from the body, but also by what is happening in the brain; our emotions; our environment; our sleep; our activity levels and our general health.
This means that two people can have very similar physical findings yet experience their symptoms in completely different ways.
It also explains why symptoms can vary throughout the day. You may find that you feel more comfortable when you are relaxed, active or enjoying yourself, while a stressful day or a poor night's sleep can completely change how your body feels.
This doesn't mean that the symptoms aren't real. Far from it. It means that there are more factors we can work with.
Think about your own 'pain recipe'
One of the ideas highlighted by Dr Zoffness is to think about your individual "pain recipe", ie. the combination of ingredients that can influence how you feel.
Here at Natural Balance, we already take a very similar holistic approach. We don't simply look at the area where you have symptoms. We look at you as a whole person.
How are you moving? How strong and capable are you? How well are you sleeping? What does your day-to-day activity look like? What are your goals? What is happening in your wider health and lifestyle?
We ask you a lot of questions, but your answers are all valuable pieces of the puzzle!
Once we understand the bigger picture, we can start looking at the ingredients that may help you create your own healthier, more comfortable recipe.
Your body and brain work together
One of the most interesting points from The Independent’s article is the relationship between the brain and pain.
Every sensation we experience is processed by the brain. This means that our nervous system plays an important role in how symptoms are experienced and how they change over time.
This is one reason why simply focusing on a scan or one particular structure doesn't always give us the complete picture.
At Natural Balance, our approach is therefore, about much more than treating a body part.
We want to help you understand your body, build confidence in movement and develop the physical capacity to do the things that matter to you.
Movement is part of the answer
As we have mentioned in earlier blogs, for many people, movement can become an important part of their journey towards feeling stronger and more capable. The key is finding the right movement, at the right level, at the right time.
Think about training for a marathon. You wouldn't begin by running 26 miles straightaway. You would gradually build your distance, strength and endurance over time.
Your rehabilitation can work in exactly the same way.
Here at Natural Balance, we create personalised programmes that progress at your pace. This might involve specific exercises, strength work, manual therapy, hydrotherapy or other elements of physiotherapy, depending on your individual needs and goals.
The aim is to gradually increase what your body can do, helping you become stronger, more confident and more capable – and live life more fully.
Look beyond the symptoms
There is another important message here: your overall health matters.
Sleep, nutrition, movement, emotional wellbeing and social connection can all influence how we feel.
That is why at Natural Balance we take a holistic approach to physiotherapy. We look at the whole body and the whole person rather than focusing solely on the area producing symptoms.
As we know, small changes can add up - a little more movement during the day; a better bedtime routine; building strength gradually; getting outside; making time for the things you enjoy – all help towards you feeling more confident in what your body can do. Together, these can become powerful ingredients in your own health recipe.
The Natural Balance way
At Natural Balance Physiotherapy & Sports Injury, our philosophy has always been about more than simply treating symptoms.
We want to optimise health, increase capacity, maximise capability and enhance performance – whatever your age, fitness level or starting point.
We work with you to understand your individual situation, identify your goals and create a programme designed specifically around you. Remember, your body isn't a collection of separate parts - it is one wonderfully connected system.
When we understand the bigger picture, we can start making positive changes that help you move, feel and live better.
Positive change is possible. Let's work together to find your Natural Balance. Book your appointment here: https://naturalbalance.connect.tm3app.com/
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