Pain is disturbing; no matter its type, location, or origin. Pain is important because it warns us of danger somewhere in the body. Looked at in this way, pain is the messaging system by which the mind receives information on what is happening elsewhere in the body. The nervous system is a live network of telecommuting fibers. It relays messages about trouble spots in the body. Pain is a symptom of some disorder that needs correcting. When alleviated, pain is often forgotten. Out of sight, out of mind.

That is not true. The pain message is no longer viable since the medication blocked the nerves from conveying the message of pain. The underlying cause is there. This is not to say that with time the body cannot heal the cause of the pain thus eliminating it. It often does. Again, sometimes it does not and the dull pain becomes ever more painful until it is no longer dull but moderately severe. And then sometimes it disappears, changes its character, its location, its intensity or lingers on becoming chronic. Pain is a multifaceted ouch.

How can this be? Who knows for sure? Possibly the condition righted itself over time and left no tell tale signs. Age may have something to do with it and then again the aging nervous system may not be as alert as it once was. We no longer feel the dull aching continuous pain that we felt when younger because not only are we aging, but so are our nerves. Or maybe it is nature’s way of giving us a rest.

An example of this type of dull pain is in growing children. When they have spurts of bone growth many complain of leg or arm pain, mostly leg. A dull ache that is not too painful but one severe enough to have them mention it. The reason for this is the slight pressure on nerves that are embedded in the surrounding tissues. Growing pains then are real, but are not serious. Listen to your children and explain to them growing pains. This will ease their dull pains somewhat.

And sometimes, muscles ache simply because they are tired and need a rest. The dull achy pain resulting from overused muscles is fit and able come morning. A good night’s sleep is dull pain’s worse enemy. Sharp minds understand this and give their bodies their healing time, eight hours of sleep.

Related Questions