Pain Is Complex: Understanding Acute Pain and Holistic Approaches for Relief

By Hyon Joo Hong, Non-Physician Osteopathic Manual Therapist

Pain is a multifaceted experience - so much so that there’s an entire medical specialty, known as dolorology or algology, devoted to studying it. In this blog, we’ll examine what pain means, take a closer look at acute pain, and explore a holistic approach to understanding and managing its impact on our lives.

Why It’s Important to Define Pain

Before diving into acute pain, it’s essential to first define pain itself. This is important because definitions shape how we understand and interact with the world. Knowing the definition of pain shapes how we treat pain and validate individual experiences. Without a definition, pain can be misunderstood, oversimplified, or dismissed, leading to inadequate care and support.

All that being said, have you ever thought about the definition of pain? 

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as: "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage."

I find this definition intriguing because it highlights the complexity of pain - it’s not just a physical sensation but also an emotional experience, deeply personal and influenced by many factors. It’s a reminder that pain isn’t solely about tissue damage. It’s about how we perceive and interpret signals from our body. 

IASP also points out that “individuals learn the concept of pain through their life experiences” and that “a person’s report of pain should always be respected”. 

A Holistic View of Pain

The bio-psycho-social model of pain emphasizes looking beyond physical injuries, like a herniated disc, and to consider the patient’s social and emotional context, such as isolation, interpersonal stress, or financial burden. 

But understanding pain doesn’t stop there. The field of psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrinology (PNIE) examines how the brain, nervous system, immune system, and endocrine (hormone) system interact. These systems, in turn, influence others like the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and digestive systems, creating a whole-body connection that shapes both pain and its perception. 

Think about a time you experienced acute back or neck pain - not only was it physically uncomfortable, but it likely left you feeling frustrated or low in mood. Or maybe it was emotional stress that triggered the acute pain in the first place. Perhaps your heart raced, or you felt a wave of anxiety, highlighting how your cardiovascular and nervous systems respond to discomfort. You might have also noticed your gut feeling sensitive or unsettled, showing how interconnected these systems are. 

This interconnectedness brings to mind the concept of Gestalt - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When it comes to pain, this idea reminds us that pain isn’t just a physical sensation. It’s a holistic experience, encompassing sensations, thoughts, emotions, and even the context in which it arises. This holistic view suggests that to truly understand pain, we need to consider all these aspects and address the whole person, rather than just isolating the physical symptoms. 

Does this approach remind you of any therapies that address the whole person?

Navigating Acute Pain

Acute pain, unlike chronic pain, is a sudden, sharp sensation that often serves as the body’s warning signal, which is vital. It typically results from injury, surgery, or trauma and generally resolves once the underlying cause is addressed. However, it can be incredibly difficult to endure in the moment. The intensity of acute pain can make it hard to believe it’s temporary, leaving some fearful that it will worsen or persist indefinitely, amplifying their distress.

I recall an experience from my time working at an osteopathy student clinic. A colleague treated an immigrant father in his 40s who was suffering from acute back pain. He didn’t speak English well and screamed in agony during the session, leaving the student shaken. Our supervisor later discovered that this man was also facing a serious financial crisis and uncertainty regarding his visa status, adding an emotional layer to his physical pain. Despite the dramatic intensity of his pain, the imaging results from his general practitioner a few days before showed no abnormalities, highlighting that acute pain doesn't always correlate with structural damage.

Such experiences have profoundly shaped my understanding of acute pain. While it’s crucial to watch for red flag symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying condition requiring urgent medical attention, the immediate priority in moments of acute intense pain is managing the nervous system’s response. Acute pain often triggers a heightened state of fear and panic, which can amplify the perception of pain and create a vicious cycle. In these moments, providing reassurance, helping the individual regulate their breathing, and creating a calm environment can significantly ease their distress. 

What Pain Teaches Us & How Osteopathy Can Help Resolve Acute Pain

Pain is deeply human. It requires our attention, disrupts our routines, and often teaches us lessons about our bodies, emotions, and resilience. Understanding pain means looking at it through a holistic lens, respecting its complexity, and acknowledging the deeply personal nature of the experience.

Osteopathy embraces this holistic perspective, considering the body, mind, and environment in the assessment of pain, especially in acute pain. While it’s understandable that a client’s attention may be focused solely on the site of acute pain, osteopathy seeks to understand the interconnectedness within and beyond the body. This comprehensive approach recognizes that pain often arises from a complex web of factors, and healing requires addressing more than just the symptoms. 

Guided by the principle that "the body is capable of self-regulation, having the inherent capacity to maintain its own health and to heal itself," osteopathy supports the body's natural ability to recover and restore balance. Osteopathic manual therapy isn’t just about temporary relief - though acute pain may be what brings someone in. It’s not just about recovering from pain, but about moving beyond it to thrive in life with greater ease and vitality.

My hope is that you won’t experience acute pain and that you stay in your best shape, which requires self-care and consistent support for your body. Whether it’s spending time in nature, sharing meals and laughter with friends, or enjoying a group fitness class, sauna, or hands-on therapy, taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. If you need additional support with nutrition, movement, functional medicine, or more, we have a wonderful network of collaborative practitioners and would be happy to share referrals.