Pain and Suffering – They Go Hand in Hand, Don’t They?

The Many Faces of Pain

Pain can range from mildly irritating to completely overwhelming. And when it sticks around, it doesn’t just affect your body — it seeps into almost every part of your life.

Think back to the last time you were injured. Did you:

• Take time off work?

• Cancel social plans?

• Skip your regular gym sessions?

• Rely on someone else to care for your kids?

• Start feeling more tired, low, or short-tempered?

• Worry about the financial impact?

These are all completely normal responses. But when this cycle goes on too long, pain starts taking up more and more space in your life — pulling you away from the things that matter most.

The Deeper Impact of Pain

Pain isn’t just about the physical sensation. It has tentacles — it stretches into how we live, work, and connect with others. The severity, the type of injury, and what the pain represents all shape our experience.

Most of the suffering associated with pain doesn’t actually come from the pain itself — it comes from what we lose because of it.

We can’t:

• Move the way we want to

• Work the way we need to

• Connect the way we’re used to

• Parent the way we want to

• Exist in the world as ourselves

This experience is different for everyone:

• A new parent who can’t pick up their baby might feel shame or guilt.

• A tradesperson unable to work might feel financial stress or anxiety.

• Many people experience isolation due to missed social connections.

The Emotional Weight of Pain

A key theme that emerges in pain science is this: the emotional and social consequences of pain are often just as significant as the physical discomfort.

Unfortunately, a common myth still persists — that we should wait until the pain is gone before we return to normal life.

Modern pain research tells us the opposite.

Movement and Meaningful Activity Matter

Across almost all types of pain, returning to meaningful activities as early as possible improves recovery outcomes. This doesn’t mean pushing through or ignoring pain — it means modifying, adjusting, and gradually easing back into the things you care about.

Even small steps toward normalcy can have a big impact on your emotional wellbeing.

Let’s look at two examples:

Scenario 1 – Avoidance:

“I’m in pain and can’t sit for more than 10 minutes. I’ll cancel lunch with my friend.”

Outcome:
You feel lonely, disappointed, disconnected… and you’re still in pain.

Scenario 2 – Modification:

“I can’t sit for long, but maybe my friend would be up for a slow walk in the park instead.”

Outcome:
The pain is still there, but you’ve connected with someone, enjoyed a bit of fresh air, and maybe even felt a little joy.

The Power of Understanding Pain

Getting started on this path often begins with knowledge. You might be asking yourself:

• Will I make the injury worse if I move?

• Is it safe to return to work or start exercising again?

• How do I begin when I’m still in pain?

The answers will vary depending on your specific situation, but overall, gentle, purposeful activity is one of the most effective tools we have for managing and recovering from pain.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’d like help understanding your pain and building a plan to get back to the things you love, I’d be more than happy to support you.

Give the clinic a call — let’s talk about how we can get you moving, connecting, and living again.

Warmly,
Claire Richardson
Advanced Practice Pain Management Osteopath