We all know what pain feels like when we bump into the corner of the coffee table or scold ourselves on the stove, but do we understand the technical attributes of pain?  Well, lets look into it a little further;

Humans are known to have the same PAIN THRESHOLD, however our PAIN TOLERENCE will vary widely between each of us.  So, a definition of Pain; unpleasant sensory & emotional experience associated with actual & potential tissue damage.

Classifications of Pain are; SOMATIC and VISCERAL, lets look at these closer.

SOMATIC PAIN occurs in the skin, muscles or joints.  There are two types of Somatic Pain; Superficial and Deep.

Superficial Somatic Pain – is a sharp or pricking sensation we can feel briefly on the skin, and usually felt at the site of the injury.

Deep Somatic Pain – is the burning, itching or aching pain.  These sensations are stimulated by pain receptors found in the deep layers of the skin, muscles or joints.  This type of pain is often felt at the site of the injury and the pain spreads to other parts of the body which is why the burning / aching pain lasts longer than the superficial pain.

Visceral Pain – occurs in the organs of the chest & abdomen.  Visceral pain is usually felt as a dull aching, burning or a gnawing pain.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

With all treatment plans, it’s wise to consult with your Doctor, practitioner or pharmacist before undergoing any treatment/s.  There are many different types of treatments, and we’ll look at some guides to those briefly.

Vitamins/Minerals/Herbs – our dedicated team can assist you with suitable supplements and explain if these will interact with your other medications (this is extremely important).  Vitamins B1, B5, B12, C, E & K, folic acid, iron and magnesium may be required whilst using analgesics.  Evening Primrose Oil and Fish Oil are great to take for anti-inflammatory relief.  Discuss your options further with one of our Practitioners or Pharmacist’s.

Non-Drug Management – these include Physiotherapy, TENS, Acupuncture, muscle relaxation and many more.  TENS (Transcutaneos Electrical Nerve Stimulation) assists with relieving acute and chronic pain by sending a small electric current through the skin.

Analgesic Management – analgesics are so named due to their ability to alleviate pain.  Caution – most analgesic drugs have either minor or severe side effects.  Ask your pharmacist about these side effects and which treatment is most suitable for you.

Analgesics include; NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), Aspirin, Paracetamol & Codeine – just to name a few.