Pain is something we can feel in our bodies and in our minds. Understanding how our mind and body work together is really important when we talk about pain.

Key Points:

• Physical Pain:

  • When we get hurt, special sensors in our body get triggered.
  • Studies show that about 20% of people have ongoing pain that doesn’t go away.

• Mental Pain:

  • Our thoughts and feelings can make physical pain worse.
  • Almost 50% of people with ongoing pain also deal with mental health problems.

Statistics:

• About 70% of people find that their feelings greatly affect how much pain they feel.
• The gate control theory tells us that what’s happening in our minds can change how intense physical pain feels.

Understanding how our mind and body interact is key to figuring out pain and how to manage it better.