Superior Health Center - December 2019

Saint Augustine once called physical pain the “greatest evil” known to man. If you think back as early as you can remember, you’ll probably recall painful episodes involving scraped knees and twisted ankles, among many others.While almost everyone can experience physical pain (more on that later), most of us don’t know a lot about the nature of pain. Experiencing physical pain is hardwired into our evolutionary biology, but not all types of pain are the same. Since almost all Superior Health Center treatments deal with pain, let’s take a moment to demystify the nature of the beast. WhyWe Feel Pain “At the most basic level,” states the Mayo Clinic, “pain begins when particular nerve endings are stimulated.” In other words, pain is a type of signal; it’s our brain’s way of communicating that something is wrong.The world is full of dangers capable of causing us serious, irreparable harm, and when we feel pain, we know to leave those dangers alone.A small percentage of people suffer from a congenital insensitivity to pain.While that sounds like a superpower in theory, it’s a nightmare in practice. If you can’t feel pain, you have to be constantly mindful not to do something that could permanently injure or even kill you. 2Types of Pain Pain can be categorized in many ways, but one of the most useful distinctions is between acute and chronic pain.Acute pain occurs from an injury and subsides once that injury heals. In cases of acute pain, our brain tells us that part of our body is physiologically wounded and in need of repair. If we sprain an ankle, we know to avoid walking on it because it hurts to do so.Treating acute pain often involves protecting and encouraging healing in the injured area while strengthening the surrounding muscles for added support. Chronic pain, which lasts indefinitely and can lack a clear cause, is a murkier subject. Chronic pain is undoubtedly real, but diagnosing and treating it requires more in-depth testing. Sometimes it is the result of an underlying condition, such as arthritis. In others, it is the result of damage to the nerves, a condition known as neuropathy. No matter how much or what type of physical pain you suffer, Superior Health Center treatments can likely help get you on the path to feeling less of it. WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH PAIN? A Look at the Most Common Human Ailment

PATIENT STORY OF THE MONTH! Getting a Full Night’s Rest

After struggling with sleep night after night due to intense pain, Mr. Rodolph now sleeps longer and more restfully throughout the night.

The pain Mr. Rodolph felt was in both his shoulders,

something he had been living with for quite some time. He states that he was in pain “pretty

much 24/7.” Not only this, but any movement of his arms and shoulders aggravated the pain, making his life miserable. “I had a very restricted range of motion,” he adds. Before he started his treatments at Superior Health Centers, Mr. Rodolph says his pain made it nearly impossible to do simple, everyday tasks. “I was basically unable to get dressed without extreme difficulty.” Not only did he find this hard, but other activities that involved lifting his arms even slightly, such as washing his hair, were also beyond his abilities to achieve. “It was also affecting my sleep considerably. Since I could only sleep on my side, the pressure would cause increased pain.” Mr. Rodolph was eager to find a solution that would give him the peace of mind and the full night’s sleep that he wanted. He approached Superior Health Centers, and our team leaped into action to help.After receiving several treatments, Mr. Rodolph is living a significantly pain-free life, has recovered his range of motion, and is overjoyed about the service he has received. “There’s been a noticeable decrease in the pain. I’m able to sleep longer at night now.” He is grateful for the gift he’s received from our team at Superior Health Centers and says that it’s “the pain relief itself that’s providing the greatest benefit.” Having the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to provide our patients with that peace of mind is essential to all of us. Let us help you take back the life you deserve. Call our offices today at 888-530-6465.

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