Pain. Many patients present with a complaint of pain but few of them have any
idea how pain begins and what is causing it. In this post I hope to give you a brief and
thorough understanding of characteristics and qualities associated with pain.
Sharp pain is typically described as a sudden, intense, and localized pain that is often felt
like a stabbing sensation. It can be felt as if the area is being punctured by a sharp object. This
type of pain is often short-lived and can be associated with a specific injury or trauma, such as a
cut or a puncture wound. Sharp pain can also be caused by muscle spasm. When a spastic
muscle tightens momentarily the individual may experience an extremely painful burst of pain.
This is the body trying to protect the person from using that movement pattern.
Dull pain, on the other hand, is usually described as a more diffuse, achy, and persistent
discomfort. It may not be as intense as sharp pain, but it can be more constant and linger for extended periods of time.
Dull pain is often associated with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or with muscle or tissue
damage that has not been fully healed. The key difference between sharp and dull pain is the intensity and quality of the sensation.
While sharp pain is often sudden and intense, dull pain is more persistent and less intense.
Muscular pain, also known as myalgia, is usually felt in the muscles and is caused by a
variety of factors such as overuse, strain, tension, or injury. The pain can range from mild to
severe, and it may be accompanied by stiffness, soreness, or aching. Muscular pain is often
relieved by rest, stretching, physical movement, or adjustments
Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is caused by damage or dysfunction of the
nerves. This type of pain is often described as shooting, burning, or tingling, and it may be
accompanied by numbness or weakness in the affected area. Nerve pain can be caused by a
variety of factors, such as injury, infection, disease, or subluxation. Subluxation is the
misalignment, or joint fixation that chiropractors commonly address. Medications, such as
antidepressants and anticonvulsants, are often used to manage nerve pain but the root cause
of the pain can sometimes be identified and fixed through remapping movement patterns and changing our lifestyle/habits.
The key difference between muscular pain and nerve pain is the location and sensation
of the pain. Muscular pain is usually felt in the muscles, whereas nerve pain is felt along the
path of the affected nerve. Additionally, nerve pain is often described as a more intense and
unpleasant sensation compared to muscular pain. Do you know of anyone suffering from any of
these kinds of pain? Send them in to receive a full physical exam and functional movement
assessment!