Hi, I'm Gurminder, your friendly neighbourhood kinesiologist in Surrey. Today, I want to talk about something I see all the time: pain that sticks around long after an injury should have healed.
If you're dealing with this, you've probably felt frustrated, confused, and maybe even been told it's "all in your head." I want to be clear: your pain is 100% real. But to understand it, we need to look beyond the original injury and talk about a key player you might not have considered: your nervous system.
The Body's Over-Protective Alarm System
Think of your nervous system as a highly advanced alarm system for your house. When something happens—like a sprained ankle—a sensor is tripped. The alarm (pain!) goes off, telling you, "Hey, pay attention! Protect this area!" This is a good thing; it helps us heal.
But what happens after a major event, like a car accident (a common reason for ICBC active rehab) or a significant injury? Sometimes, that alarm system becomes hypersensitive. Even after the "danger" (the injury) is gone, the system stays on high alert. It starts sounding the alarm for things that aren't actually dangerous anymore, like simple movements or even just the thought of movement.
This is a simplified look at "central sensitization," and it's often at the heart of chronic pain. Your brain has learned a pain habit, and now it needs a guide to help it learn a new, safer one.
How We Help the System Feel Safe Again
So, if your nervous system is over-protective, how can exercise possibly help? The key is that we're not just exercising your muscles; we're exercising your brain's perception of safety. Our goal isn't to "push through the pain"—it's to retrain the alarm system.
Here's the approach we take in kinesiology, explained simply:
- Start with Safety: We begin with movements that are so gentle they feel completely safe and non-threatening. This sends a crucial message to your brain: "See? This movement is okay. No alarm needed."
- Build Trust with Your Body: We listen to your body's feedback. By working within your comfort zone and celebrating small, pain-free wins, we build confidence. Your brain starts to relearn that movement doesn't have to equal danger.
- Progress with Confidence: As your body starts to trust movement again, we can gradually and intelligently explore more challenging movements. Over time, you'll be surprised by what you can do, all because we took the time to build a foundation of safety first.
This science-based, gentle approach is at the core of effective kinesiology services in Surrey, whether it's for chronic pain management, senior health, or ICBC active rehab.
Things You Can Try at Home (Gently!)
Changing your relationship with pain takes time, but here are a few simple, safe things you can do to start the process:
- Mindful Breathing: This is often step number one. Sit or lie down comfortably. Place one hand on your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose for four counts, feeling your belly expand. Breathe out for six counts. Repeating this for just a few minutes can help calm an overactive nervous system.
- "Movement Snacking": Instead of one big, intimidating workout, try tiny "snacks" of movement throughout the day. If your shoulder hurts, can you gently rotate your wrist a few times an hour? If your back is sore, can you slowly tilt your pelvis back and forth while sitting? The goal is frequent, low-stakes movement.
- Visualization: Sometimes, even thinking about a movement can be scary. Try this: close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself doing a simple activity you enjoy—like walking in a park—completely without pain. This can help create new, positive neural pathways associated with that movement.
You're Not Alone in This
Living with chronic pain is tough, but understanding that it's a real, physical response from a sensitized nervous system is a huge first step. It's not a personal failing; it's a system that needs gentle guidance to find its "off" switch.
If you're in the Surrey area and this sounds like you, please know that you don't have to figure it out on your own.
For more info on how I can create a personalized health plan for you, feel free to explore my website or book a free consultation.
