Why Do You Have Pain Here When You Run
Summary
TLDRThis script delves into the complex nature of pain, exploring its role as a warning system, the challenges of chronic pain, and how it can sometimes indicate positive outcomes like muscle growth. It touches on age-related pain, workout-related aches, and the mysterious phenomenon of phantom limb pain. The script also examines the psychological impact of pain, the influence of diet and lifestyle on pain levels, and the surprising benefits of movement and even intimacy in pain management. From the unique experiences of amputees to the biological differences in pain perception between sexes, this script offers a comprehensive look at the many facets of pain.
Takeaways
- 🚨 Pain acts as a warning system for the body, alerting us to potential harm and prompting us to avoid further damage.
- 🔄 Chronic pain can be a lingering issue, often stemming from nervous system problems and challenging to diagnose and treat.
- 👵 Aging can bring about chronic pain as the body's wear and tear leads to issues like joint deterioration, but advancements in medical technology, such as artificial joints, offer relief.
- 🏋️♂️ Post-workout muscle pain can signify a strengthening process as lactic acid buildup causes temporary discomfort, but overexertion can lead to more severe issues.
- 🏃♀️ Specific workout-related pains, like hip flexor strains or side stitches, can occur due to overuse or lack of proper stretching and may require rest and mobility exercises.
- 💻 Repetitive stress injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, can affect non-athletes like office workers due to the repetitive use of wrists.
- 🦾 Phantom limb pain experienced by amputees is a common phenomenon where the brain continues to send signals to the missing limb, causing sensations of pain.
- 🧠 Psychological factors, including stress, can influence the perception of pain, and managing stress can be beneficial in pain management.
- 🚭 Smoking can exacerbate chronic pain conditions by reducing blood flow to joints and delaying healing, making it an important factor to consider in pain management.
- 🍽 Diet can play a role in chronic pain, with certain foods increasing inflammation, while others, rich in healthy fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, can help reduce it.
- 🏋️♀️ Maintaining physical activity can be beneficial in managing pain, as movement can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
- 💑 Interestingly, sexual activity has been reported to relieve migraine symptoms due to the release of endorphins, showing the multifaceted nature of pain management.
- 🧊 The 'brain freeze' experienced when consuming cold food or beverages is a cross-signaling phenomenon between the mouth and forehead pain receptors.
- 🐍 Some animals, like the Black Mamba snake, have venom containing pain-relieving compounds, highlighting the complex relationship between nature and pain management.
- 🐀 The naked mole rat is unique in its lack of response to certain types of pain, which has sparked scientific interest in potential applications for human pain relief.
- 🧬 A rare genetic mutation makes a small number of people unable to feel pain, emphasizing the importance of the body's warning system for health and safety.
Q & A
What is the primary function of pain according to the script?
-The primary function of pain is to serve as the body's warning system, alerting us to potential harm and prompting us to withdraw from damaging stimuli to prevent further damage.
What is chronic pain and why does it occur?
-Chronic pain is a type of pain that lasts more than three to six months and often has no clear, identifiable cause. It can be caused by issues within the body's systems, most commonly the nervous system, where damage leads to continuous signals of distress.
Why do some people experience pain as they age?
-As people age, their bodies wear out similar to a car or computer. Joints are particularly vulnerable due to the wearing out of cartilage and muscle before the bone, leading to increased roughness and pain during movement.
How can working muscles lead to pain and what is its long-term effect?
-Working muscles can cause a buildup of lactic acid, which leads to cramping and increased pain. However, this pain is temporary, and the muscles often become stronger over time as a result of the strain.
What is a side stitch and what causes it?
-A side stitch is a sharp, intense pain in the side that commonly occurs during activities like running, swimming, or horseback riding. It's believed to be caused by irritation of the abdominal lining or the ligaments surrounding the diaphragm.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and what causes it?
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive-stress injury that occurs when the median nerve gets compressed as it sends signals from the wrist to the fingers. It is often linked to repetitive work involving the wrists and can be alleviated with injections, splints, or surgery.
Why do some amputees continue to feel pain in their missing limbs?
-Amputees may experience pain in their missing limbs due to a phenomenon where the body's nerve reactions need to adjust to the unusual stimulus of an amputation. This can result in sensations that feel like pain in the absence of the limb.
How can stress affect the experience of pain?
-Stress can heighten the body's pain response, making it more difficult to focus and address the cause of the pain. It can also lead to frustration and fear, especially in cases of chronic pain where the source is unclear.
What is the relationship between smoking and chronic pain?
-Smoking can increase the risk of chronic pain by decreasing blood flow to joints, which can delay the healing of injuries. It can also interfere with certain medications, making it counterproductive for pain management.
How can diet affect chronic pain?
-A diet high in processed and fried foods, refined grains, and sugars can lead to increased inflammation, which can cause consistent pain and difficulty moving. On the other hand, healthy fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce inflammation.
What is the script's stance on the benefits of movement for pain relief?
-The script suggests that movement can be beneficial for pain relief as it can produce endorphins, the pain-killing brain chemicals. It advises against remaining sedentary when in pain, as movement can help manage and reduce the intensity of pain.
Outlines
🚨 Pain: The Body's Warning System
This section introduces pain as a vital warning system of the body. It uses the example of touching a hot stove as an instance where pain serves a protective role by quickly signaling the need to withdraw from a harmful stimulus. It also distinguishes between acute pain, which is useful, and chronic pain, a lingering discomfort without an apparent cause, often related to issues within the nervous system. Chronic pain can be challenging to diagnose and treat, and it's more prevalent with age due to the natural wear and tear of the body, particularly affecting joints.
🏋️♂️ Pain in Physical Activity and Chronic Conditions
This paragraph explores different types of pain associated with physical activities and chronic conditions. It discusses the 'feel the burn' sensation post-workout due to lactic acid build-up, which can lead to muscle strengthening. It also addresses specific pains like hip flexor strains from overuse or lack of stretching and side stitches during intense activities. The paragraph further explains the psychological impact of chronic pain, the influence of diet on inflammation and pain, and the benefits of movement in pain management. It also touches on the potential relief of migraines through sexual activity due to endorphin release.
🌡️ Unusual Pain Triggers and Perceptions
This section delves into atypical pain triggers and perceptions. It explains the sensation of pain in amputated limbs, known as phantom limb pain, and how psychological factors like stress can exacerbate physical pain. The summary also covers the counterintuitive effects of smoking on pain levels, the impact of diet on inflammation, and the benefits of movement in reducing pain. It highlights the placebo effect with the example of the pain caused by rubbing alcohol on a wound and the phenomenon of brain freeze when consuming cold food. Additionally, it discusses historical and cultural perspectives on pain, such as gout being known as the 'disease of kings'.
🔢 Pain Measurement and Animal Anomalies
This paragraph discusses the concept of pain measurement, emphasizing its utility in healthcare, especially for children and chronic pain patients who may have difficulty articulating their pain levels. It also touches on the different ways men and women experience and report pain, with women having more nerve receptors and being more likely to report pain to doctors. The section concludes with observations on how certain animals, like the Black Mamba snake and the naked mole rat, have unusual relationships with pain, either due to their venom's pain-relieving properties or a lack of typical pain receptors.
🎭 The Rarity of Pain Insensitivity
The final paragraph focuses on the rare genetic mutations that result in individuals being unable to feel pain. It describes the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by these individuals, who must be vigilant about their health due to the lack of pain as a warning signal. The summary also mentions a Swedish village with a cluster of such individuals and highlights the importance of pain as an essential alarm system for the body.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pain
💡Chronic Pain
💡Nervous System
💡Inflammation
💡Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
💡Phantom Pain
💡Stress
💡Endorphins
💡Pain Threshold
💡Gout
💡Pain Receptors
Highlights
Pain serves as a vital warning system, alerting us to withdraw from harmful stimuli and avoid future damage.
Chronic pain, lasting over three to six months, often originates from the nervous system and can be challenging to treat.
Aging can bring chronic pain due to the natural wear and tear of the body, especially affecting joints.
Muscle soreness post-exercise, known as 'feeling the burn,' can lead to increased strength as muscles recover.
Hip flexor strain is a common injury among runners, often caused by overuse or inadequate stretching.
Side stitches during exercise are common but are usually not a sign of serious injury and can be relieved by stopping and deep breathing.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that can be caused by overuse of the wrists, common in office workers.
Phantom limb pain is experienced by many amputees, indicating a complex relationship between the mind and body's perception of pain.
Stress can exacerbate pain, making it crucial to manage stress levels to help alleviate chronic pain.
Smoking can increase the risk of chronic pain and delay healing, making it a counterproductive method for stress relief.
Diet plays a role in inflammation and chronic pain, with processed and fried foods potentially increasing inflammation.
Physical activity can help reduce pain by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
Sex has been reported to relieve migraine symptoms due to the release of endorphins.
Rubbing alcohol causes intense pain on cuts due to exposed nerve cells reacting to body temperature.
Gout, known as the 'disease of kings,' was common among royalty due to their rich diet, but also found in the bones of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Biological differences exist in how men and women perceive pain, with women having more nerve receptors and reporting pain more frequently.
Pain scales are useful tools for patients, especially children and chronic pain sufferers, to communicate the intensity of their pain.
The Black Mamba's venom contains potent pain-relieving compounds that scientists are researching for potential medical use.
The naked mole rat lacks typical mammalian pain receptors, inspiring research into new methods of pain relief.
A rare genetic mutation leaves a small number of people unable to feel pain, requiring them to be hyper-vigilant about their health.
Transcripts
Ow!
You’re just going about your day when suddenly, you’re hit with a wave of pain.
What’s your body trying to tell you?
And why does it have to hurt you to do it?
Here are twenty things you never knew about pain.
#20.
Pain Is Your Body’s Warning System
Remember as a kid, when you decided to touch the stove?
Your hand only glanced it for half a second before you pulled it away in pain and wound
up with a blister - and a stinging lecture from mom about safety.
This was a case where pain was very useful - as soon as you touched something that could
hurt you, your pain receptors kicked in and sent the very strong message that you should
stop before you caused more serious damage.
This nerve signal indicates to the body that it should withdraw from a damaging stimulus
immediately and avoid it in the future - saving you a lot of future pain.
But not every pain serves a useful purpose.
#19.
What the Hurt?
There’s another kind of pain that just seems to linger, even when there’s nothing on
the surface causing it.
This is called chronic pain, and it lasts more than three to six months.
It can be caused by problems in the body’s various systems, but it’s most often caused
by the nervous system.
Something gets damaged, and the brain or spinal cord sends signals to a part of the body that
indicates - something’s wrong here.
Solving or relieving chronic pain can be tricky, and sufferers often spend a lot of time visiting
doctors to try to find the right combo of therapy or medication to make their pain finally
go away.
But there’s another cause for chronic pain - and it comes for all of us.
#18.
What’s Eating Grandma?
Have you ever heard your grandparent complaining about their back, or knees, or...well, everything?
Probably, and there’s a reason for that - chronic pain tends to come with age.
That’s because just like your car or computer, our bodies wear out after a while - but getting
new parts isn’t as easy as going to the store.
Joints are particularly vulnerable to this, because the cartilage and muscle used to make
sure everything moves smoothly wears out before the bone does - which can make swinging the
knees or other parts a lot rougher and more painful.
Thankfully, doctors can now implant artificial joints so grandparents everywhere can start
dancing the night away with less pain.
But can pain actually be a sign of something good?
#17.
Feel the Burn!
If you’ve ever lifted weights or tried to break your own record on the track, you probably
know you can feel pretty rough afterwards.
Your muscles are cramping up, it can be hard to move, and you just want to lie down and
watch some TV for a while.
But after a little, it passes - and you actually feel stronger.
This is because working your muscles causes a build-up of lactic acid, which makes them
tighten up and more painful to move them.
It relieves itself after a little while and they wind up stronger in the long run.
Just be careful you’re not overdoing it - if you’re spending hours in bed because
it’s too painful to move after a workout, you might be going too hard too fast.
But that’s not the only workout-related pain.
#16.
Hip to the Burn
Have you ever gone for a run, and suddenly the front of your hip starts hurting?
This doesn’t always come with running too hard, and it doesn’t seem like there’s
a recurring injury - but it’s painful enough to stop you in your tracks.
This is the hip flexor region, and it can be caused by a number of things.
It can be the sign of a more serious problem like a stress fracture or hernia, but most
often it’s a hip flexor strain - which is often caused by overuse or a lack of proper
stretching.
The best way to avoid this is to rest, take some anti-inflammatories if you need them,
and do some exercises to increase your mobility before you get back on the track.
But sometimes this pain isn’t as straightforward.
Sometimes it’s not the hip.
Sometimes it’s above it, in the side - a pain called a side stitch.
It’s most common during running, but it can happen during any intense activity like
swimming or horseback riding.
It’s not caused by any specific injury, but it’s common enough that it affects two-thirds
of runners per year.
The pain is usually gone by the time the athlete gets it checked out - but while it’s going
on it’s an intense shooting pain that can stop an athlete in their tracks!
So what causes it?
Serious shooting pain in the side can be a sign of a major problem like appendicitis,
but in most cases the pain of a side stitch disappears quickly after the athlete stops
running.
Most sports medicine experts believe the cause is an irritation of the abdominal lining or
the ligaments surrounding the diaphragm, and can be relieved by stopping, breathing deeply,
and putting some pressure on the area.
But one other factor can affect it - it’s been proven to happen more often to people
who eat or drink something sweet before running.
Might want to cut out that pre-workout cola.
Running can cause pain, no surprise - but what about homework?
#15.
It’s All In the Wrist
You’re typing away on that report that’s due...well, best not to look at that.
Then, suddenly, a shooting pain in your wrist hits you, and your fingers seem to be getting
numb.
That’s going to make it difficult to type.
This is one of the most common repetitive-stress injuries - and it doesn’t hit athletes,
but office workers.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve gets compressed as it sends signals
from the wrists to the fingers.
It can be linked to rheumatoid arthritis, but the most common cause is repetitive work
involving the wrists.
It can be alleviated by injections and splints, but surgery is an option for more serious
pain.
But what about pain that isn’t there at all?
#14.
Ooh, Ghosts.
Spooky.
When someone has an amputation - be it due to chronic issues or a sudden injury - at
least they don’t have to worry about pain there anymore.
They can get a prosthetic and move on with their life...right?
Not always.
Many amputees find themselves experiencing serious pain in their limb - even though the
limb isn’t there anymore!
Over eighty percent of amputation patients report feeling some strange sensation in their
missing limb, which indicates it’s a common response to an unusual nerve stimulus - and
the body has to adjust its nerve reactions before this bizarre response resolves itself.
It’s not the only case where pain involves psychological stimuli.
#13.
Calm Down Already!
Pain is largely a physical response to your body either sending or receiving messages
- but it has a mental element too.
It causes you stress, which leads to frustration and fear.
This is especially common with chronic pain, where it’s not clear what’s actually causing
the pain or how to stop it.
The problem is, stress can actually heighten the body’s pain response and make it more
difficult to focus and solve the problem.
If you doubt this, try solving a math problem while getting shocked with a joy buzzer repeatedly.
One of the best ways to cut down on pain, though, might be surprising.
#12.
Get Smoked!
You know what causes stress?
Pain!
You know what many people use to relieve stress?
Smoking!
The problem is, it’s doing the exact opposite of relieving pain.
Smoking is actually a serious risk for people with chronic pain caused by conditions like
fibromyalgia.
That’s because smoking decreases the blood flow going to joints and can actually delay
the healing of injuries.
That’s why doctors will often tell people not to smoke before or after surgery.
It can also interfere with some medications, so it may be time to think about quitting.
But that’s not the only unexpected thing that can enhance pain.
#11.
What’s For Lunch?
One of the biggest culprits in chronic pain is inflammation.
While this redness and swelling is actually a sign of your body healing in most circumstances,
it can be too much of a good thing - causing consistent pain and difficulty with moving.
And it can actually be caused by what you eat.
Processed and fried foods and refined grains and sugars can lead to increased inflammation,
as can alcohol - definitely a downside for those looking to drink their pain away.
But for those looking to reduce inflammation, healthy fats and proteins and many fruits
and vegetables can help.
But one unlikely thing can actually help to relieve pain.
#10.
Get Moving!
We know - the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain is to get up.
That couch is awfully inviting and there are a lot of shows to binge-watch on your thirty
streaming services.
But studies have proven that sitting or lying down while in pain can make the pain worse.
When you do actually have to get up, the pain might be too intense.
Instead of waiting for moving to become essential, it’s best to keep moving and change position
occasionally - especially since moving can produce the pain-killing brain chemicals called
endorphins, giving you a similar effect to many pain medications.
But if you’re looking to relieve pain, there’s another...more exciting way.
#9.
Get Busy!
There’s few pains harder to get rid of than a migraine.
These chronic headaches can make it impossible to focus on anything, and the last thing you
want to do is be active.
But one type of activity may have an unexpected benefit.
If you’ve got a ready-and-willing partner, the best medicine for a migraine may be a
roll in the hay.
While it might not be a natural activity - after all, how many times has someone said “Not
tonight, I have a headache.”.
But a majority says that sex relieves their symptoms during a migraine attack - and the
culprit is the same endorphins that are released by exercise.
But sometimes the cure is worse than the pain.
#8.
That Stings!
Remember when you skinned your knee as a kid?
It hurt - and then your folks said they had to clean it, and they used rubbing alcohol?
Now THAT set your knee on fire!
Why the heck does rubbing alcohol hurt so much?
It does its job, but the problem is that the cut or scrape exposes the nerve cells under
the skin.
These are the cells that usually have the job of detecting extremely hot temperature.
When exposed to alcohol, their pain threshold gets lowered - and it’s not the alcohol
that causes the pain, but your own body temperature!
They’re doing their job a little too well.
And that’s not the only time something good betrays you and causes pain.
#7.
Brr...Ow!
There’s nothing like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day, or a slurpee or Italian
ice.
You’re digging into a frozen treat when suddenly - ow!
It’s like a jackhammer going off in your brain!
You’ve fallen prey to the notorious brain freeze, but your brain hasn’t actually frozen.
This condition - actually called Sphenopalatine ganglioneuraligia - happens because the pain
receptors in the mouth are linked to the ones in your forehead.
Thus, the signals get crossed and when your mouth gets the news that something’s too
hot, it gets transmitted to the brain.
Oh, well.
That ice cream still looks pretty good!
But some food could cause more lasting pain in the past.
#6.
Pass the Meat
Usually, kings had access to doctors who could help them avoid or treat many common diseases.
But one disease was so common among royals that it became known as the disease of kings
- Gout.
This painful disease, which involves serious pain and swelling in the joints, was caused
by a buildup of uric acid in the blood - a condition caused by too much rich food and
drink.
That wasn’t something peasants had to worry about.
But this disease wasn’t new - evidence of it has been found in the bones of Tyrannosaurus
Rex - who definitely had a meat-heavy diet.
But not everyone experiences pain the same.
#5.
War of the Sexes
You’ve probably seen men and women handle pain differently.
Maybe dad cursed up a storm after hitting his thumb with a hammer, while mom finished
dinner before washing out that burn.
But there actually is a biological difference in the way men and women feel pain - and surprisingly,
it’s the women who feel more pain.
Studies show that women have more nerve receptors than men, and report being in pain to their
doctors more often.
This has led to a common problem where some doctors dismiss women when they report being
in pain - after all, they’ve never felt the same thing.
Everyone feels pain differently - and some doctors have adapted.
#4.
Rate Your Pain!
Rate your pain?
I’d probably give it a zero!
It stinks!
But rating pain usually means ranking it on a scale of how severe it is - a tool that
more doctors have begun using.
It’s especially useful for child patients, who may not be able to describe their symptoms
effectively, or chronic pain sufferers.
Scales can vary - with some meant for kids even using different types of frowny face
- but most have a similar purpose.
If someone rates their pain on the low end of the scale, they can usually go about daily
activities only mildly bothered.
Someone on the high end may not even be able to get out of bed.
But some animals have an unusual relationship with pain.
#3.
Snakebitten
It’s one of the deadliest animals in the world - the Black Mamba.
This venomous snake packs a powerful, potentially fatal bite.
So one would assume it’s pretty painful when this creature bites you, right?
Wrong!
The Black Mamba’s venom actually contains pain-relieving compounds that may be more
effective than morphine.
Scientists are working on developing it as a painkiller - as long as they can separate
it from the toxic parts.
And hey, for one of the most venomous snakes in the world, he actually looks pretty friendly.
But some animals don’t feel pain in a normal way either.
#2.
Not Your Average Rat
The naked mole rat is atypical in a lot of ways.
It’s a small, bald rodent that is mostly blind and lives underground in large colonies
that resemble insect societies in some ways.
They also don’t seem to have the same pain receptors as humans despite being mammals
- studies show they don’t feel pain when affected by acid or chili peppers.
This has gotten scientists pretty interested in how these critters can provide human pain
relief, and they’re not the only animals who lack certain pain receptors.
A 2005 report said lobsters don’t feel pain when boiled - a relief to diners everywhere,
even if it’s still hotly debated.
But a very small number of people are in the same boat.
#1.
Feeling No Pain
It’s a very rare genetic mutation, with a small number of people worldwide - including
a cluster in a Swedish village - having the bizarre medical condition that makes them
unable to feel pain.
While they can tell temperatures, their pain receptors don’t work - making them uniquely
vulnerable.
A too-hot piece of metal can turn into a third-degree burn if the body doesn’t warn you to pull
away.
A painful stress fracture in the leg can go undetected in someone without pain until it
suddenly breaks.
These people have to keep on top of their health like no one else, because their body
doesn’t give them warning signs.
Your pain is like an alarm clock - no one is happy to see it, but it’s better than
the alternative.
Check out “The Worst Pain Ever?
These Injuries Will Make You Cry Like a Baby” for more pain facts, or watch this episode
instead.
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