By Dr. David Hanscom, PNN Columnist

What is pain? We toss the word around a lot without really understanding – or defining -- what it actually means.

There are many different types and sensory levels of pain. A loud noise is uncomfortable. Bitter tastes are unpleasant. Ringing in your ears is more than annoying. Sometimes our feelings get hurt. Physical pain can be mildly irritating or crippling.

The way every living species evolved and survives is by processing these multiple types of sensory input and interpreting them as either safe or dangerous. Then its behavior is directed towards safety and reward, while also avoiding threat.

Short-term acute pain is a warning signal that indicates there is potential damage to a specific body part. Acute pain is necessary and protective. You might even call it a gift. People who are born without a pain system don’t often survive more than 10-15 years. They can’t sense danger. Tissues are destroyed and they die of infection.

But there is nothing useful about chronic pain. When a delicately balanced signaling system is out of kilter, it can no longer accurately interpret the environment. You become trapped by incredibly unpleasant sensations. Chronic pain may be one of the worst experiences of the human condition. It interferes with physical function, social interactions, and psychological well-being.

Recently, for the first time since 1979, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) revised its definition of pain. This was made necessary by neuroscience research showing that pain could arise from sources other than physical tissue damage.

Old IASP definition: "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage."

New IASP definition: "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling that associated with actual or potential tissue damage." 

Although the revision is a relatively small one, it has big implications for appreciating the complexity of pain. Adding the words “resembling” and “potential” allows for an expanded understanding and appreciation of pain beyond what was previously limited to actual tissue damage. 

Dropping the word "described" allows for recognition of pain in people who may not have the ability to effectively communicate their pain, such as infants, cognitively impaired individuals or those with speech and hearing disorders.  

Pain Is a Personal Experience That Should Be Respected

The new definition expands our understanding of pain in 6 key areas: 

• Pain is a personal experience that is influenced to varying degrees by biological, psychological and social factors 

• Pain cannot be inferred solely from activity in sensory neurons 

• People learn the concept of pain through their life experiences 

• Every report of pain should be respected 

• Although pain often has a protective role, it may also have adverse effects on physical function, as well as social and psychological well-being

• The inability to communicate pain does not negate the possibility that someone is feeling pain

It is logical that pain is personal because each person is genetically different and we are programmed with regards to safety vs threat by our past. If you come from a less than nurturing background, more things in the present will seem dangerous. You will spend more of your time in “high alert” – with a sustained exposure to stress hormones and inflammation that could lead to physical symptoms and illness.

Pain being a learned experience is well established in the medical literature. One classic study involved looking at childhood trauma. A scoring system was developed called the ACE score (Adverse Childhood Experiences) that looked at various kinds of physical and emotional trauma. Higher rates of chronic diseases, including chronic pain, are often associated with childhood trauma.

Since physical symptoms are created by the patient’s interaction with his or her environment, it is critical to know the person and their life circumstances. How can you solve any problem without deeply understanding it?

Unfortunately, mainstream medicine has not incorporated the last 20 years of neuroscience research into their treatment approach. It continues to recommend random simplistic treatments for a complex problem. It can’t and doesn’t work. The new IASP definition is a start and opens the door for a better treatment paradigm.

Chronic pain is solvable with a better understanding of it and informed principles behind the solutions. The starting point is for YOU to better understand it and then solve it while using the medical system as a resource. Once you take charge, it is game on.

Dr. David Hanscom is a retired spinal surgeon who now teaches back pain sufferers how to calm their nervous systems without the use of drugs or surgery. He recently launched a new website – The DOC Journey – to share his own experience with chronic pain and to offer a pathway out of mental and physical pain through mindful awareness and meditation.