Short answer: Pain is the body's way of alerting us to potential harm or changes that may require attention. It is a complex experience involving the nervous system and brain, and can be influenced by physical, psychological and social factors. While pain often occurs following an injury or illness, sometimes there is no obvious cause. Understanding why pain occurs can help guide appropriate treatment and management.
Long answer:
Pain is something most of us experience at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a sudden injury, ongoing back pain or discomfort that seems to have no clear explanation, pain can affect our ability to work, exercise, sleep and enjoy everyday activities.
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.
Although pain is often associated with an injury or illness, the relationship between pain and tissue damage isn’t always straightforward.
Our nervous system continuously processes information from the body and our surroundings. The brain uses this information, alongside previous experiences and other factors, to contribute to how pain is experienced.
This means pain can sometimes persist even after an injury has healed, or occur without an identifiable injury.
Importantly, pain is always a real experience, even when its cause isn’t immediately apparent.
What Causes Pain?
Pain can develop for many reasons, and the underlying mechanisms can differ between individuals.
Some common contributors include:
- Injuries such as muscle strains, ligament sprains or fractures.
- Inflammation associated with certain injuries or medical conditions.
- Irritation or damage affecting nerves.
- Changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals.
- Chronic health conditions such as arthritis or diabetes.
- Previous injuries or persistent pain conditions.
Stress, sleep difficulties, emotional wellbeing and previous experiences can also influence how pain is experienced.
These factors don’t mean pain is imagined or simply psychological. Rather, they highlight the complex relationship between the body, nervous system and brain.
Understanding the possible contributors to pain is an important part of developing an appropriate management plan.
What Is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain?
Pain is commonly described as either acute or chronic, depending on how long it has been present.
Acute Pain
Acute pain generally develops suddenly and is often associated with an identifiable injury, illness or medical procedure.
Examples include:
- A sprained ankle.
- A muscle strain.
- Pain following surgery.
- A cut or burn.
- A recent back injury.
Acute pain often improves as the underlying condition resolves and the body heals.
However, the intensity of pain doesn’t always indicate the severity of an injury.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain, also known as persistent pain, is generally defined as pain that continues or recurs for longer than three months.
It may begin following an injury or illness, but sometimes develops without a clear cause.
Chronic pain can affect movement, sleep, mood, concentration and overall quality of life.
In some cases, changes in the nervous system can contribute to pain continuing after the original injury has healed.
Chronic pain doesn’t necessarily mean that ongoing tissue damage is occurring.
With appropriate assessment, treatment and support, many people can improve their function and quality of life while managing persistent pain.
What Are the Different Types of Pain?
Pain can be classified according to the mechanisms believed to contribute to the experience.
Three commonly recognised pain mechanisms are nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic pain.
Some people may experience more than one mechanism at the same time.
Nociceptive Pain
Nociceptive pain occurs when specialised sensory nerve endings, called nociceptors, respond to potentially harmful stimuli associated with actual or threatened tissue damage.
This commonly occurs with injuries or inflammatory conditions.
Examples include:
- Muscle strains.
- Ligament sprains.
- Cuts and burns.
- Fractures.
- Some forms of joint pain.
Nociceptive pain often improves as the underlying injury or condition resolves.
However, the amount of pain experienced doesn’t always directly reflect the extent of tissue damage.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain occurs when there is a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system.
It may develop following nerve injury or as a result of certain medical conditions.
Examples include:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- Some cases of sciatica involving nerve root damage.
- Pain following shingles.
- Certain nerve injuries.
People experiencing neuropathic pain may describe sensations such as:
- Burning or shooting pain.
- Electric shock-like sensations.
- Tingling or pins and needles.
- Numbness or altered sensation.
- Increased sensitivity to touch.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve medical management, rehabilitation and other supportive approaches.
Nociplastic Pain
Nociplastic pain occurs when pain processing is altered, despite there being no clear evidence that ongoing tissue damage or a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system adequately explains the pain.
This doesn’t mean the pain isn’t real.
Rather, it reflects changes in how the nervous system processes and responds to sensory information.
Nociplastic pain may be associated with:
- Widespread or persistent pain.
- Increased sensitivity to touch or movement.
- Fatigue.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Pain that appears disproportionate to identifiable tissue damage.
Fibromyalgia is one condition commonly associated with nociplastic pain.
Nociplastic pain can also coexist with nociceptive or neuropathic pain.
Because persistent pain can involve several contributing factors, management often requires an individualised approach.
Why Can Pain Continue After an Injury Has Healed?
Sometimes pain continues even when the original injury has healed.
This can occur because the nervous system has become more sensitive to signals from the body.
This increased sensitivity may mean that movements, activities or sensations that were previously comfortable begin to feel painful.
Other factors, including reduced physical activity, poor sleep, stress and concerns about reinjury, can also contribute to ongoing pain.
For some people, avoiding movement because of pain may lead to reduced strength, mobility and confidence in everyday activities.
However, this doesn’t mean that all pain should be ignored or that pushing through pain is always appropriate.
Understanding the underlying condition and gradually returning to suitable activities, where appropriate, can be an important part of recovery.
Can Stress and Emotional Wellbeing Affect Pain?
Yes.
Pain involves both sensory and emotional processing, which means psychological and social factors can influence how pain is experienced.
For example, ongoing stress, anxiety, poor sleep or emotional distress may increase pain sensitivity or make persistent pain more difficult to manage.
Similarly, living with chronic pain can contribute to frustration, low mood, reduced confidence and difficulties participating in everyday activities.
This relationship can work in both directions.
Recognising the connection between pain and emotional wellbeing doesn’t mean pain is psychological or imagined.
It means that addressing several contributing factors may provide better support than focusing on physical symptoms alone.
How Is Pain Assessed and Managed?
Because pain can have different causes and mechanisms, effective management begins with understanding the individual’s symptoms and circumstances.
An assessment may consider:
- When the pain started and how it has changed.
- The location, severity and characteristics of the pain.
- Previous injuries or relevant medical conditions.
- Activities or movements that influence symptoms.
- Changes in strength, mobility or sensation.
- Sleep, stress and the impact of pain on daily life.
- Personal goals and concerns about movement or activity.
Depending on the findings, management may involve education, exercise rehabilitation, activity modification, physiotherapy, medical treatment or psychological support.
For persistent pain, treatment may focus on improving function, confidence and quality of life, alongside reducing symptoms where possible.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone, and the most appropriate approach depends on the underlying condition and individual circumstances.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Pain?
Pain that is severe, worsening, unexplained or interfering with everyday activities should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Some symptoms require more urgent medical attention.
These include:
- Sudden, severe or unusual pain.
- Pain following significant trauma.
- New or progressive muscle weakness.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, particularly with back pain.
- Numbness around the groin or saddle area.
- Pain accompanied by fever or significant unexplained illness.
- Chest pain, particularly when accompanied by breathlessness, sweating or dizziness.
Chest pain or other potentially life-threatening symptoms require emergency assessment. In Australia, call 000.
New bladder or bowel dysfunction, saddle numbness or progressive weakness associated with back pain also requires immediate emergency assessment.
Seeking appropriate assessment can help identify potentially serious causes and guide safe treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Pain is a complex experience involving the nervous system and brain.
- Pain can occur with an injury or illness, but sometimes there is no obvious cause.
- Acute pain is generally short-term, while chronic pain persists or recurs for longer than three months.
- Nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic pain describe different mechanisms that can contribute to pain.
- Pain intensity doesn’t always reflect the extent of tissue damage.
- Sleep, stress, emotional wellbeing and previous experiences can influence pain.
- Persistent pain is real, even when investigations don’t identify a clear cause.
- Appropriate assessment and individualised management can help improve function and quality of life.
How WLC Medical Can Help
At WLC Medical in Belmont, our Physiotherapists provide individualised assessment and treatment for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute injuries and persistent pain.
Our approach focuses on understanding your symptoms, identifying factors that may be contributing to your pain and developing a management plan suited to your individual needs.
Depending on your circumstances, Physiotherapy may involve:
- Assessment of movement, strength and physical function.
- Education about pain and recovery.
- Individualised exercise and rehabilitation.
- Strategies to improve mobility and confidence with movement.
- Guidance on returning to work, exercise and everyday activities.
- Recommendations for further medical assessment where appropriate.
Our Dietitians can also provide nutrition support where dietary factors or relevant medical conditions may influence overall health and wellbeing.
Psychological support may be beneficial for some people experiencing persistent pain, particularly where pain is affecting sleep, emotional wellbeing or daily functioning.
Where further investigation or specialist management is required, we can recommend that you consult your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Related Articles
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- Why Muscle Mass Matters More Than You Think
- How Does a Lack of Sleep Affect Me?
Understanding Your Pain Is the First Step
Pain can be frustrating, particularly when symptoms continue or the cause isn’t immediately clear.
However, understanding the different factors that contribute to pain can help guide appropriate treatment and support.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or managing persistent discomfort, an individualised approach can help you work towards improved movement, confidence and quality of life.
You don’t have to wait until pain becomes severe or significantly affects your daily activities before seeking advice.
If you’re experiencing musculoskeletal pain or would like guidance on managing an injury, our Physiotherapists at WLC Medical in Belmont can help.
To learn more or book an appointment via our website or contact our team on (08) 6263 7778.
References
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). IASP Announces Revised Definition of Pain. 2020.
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Terminology: Nociceptive Pain, Neuropathic Pain and Nociplastic Pain.
- Australian Government Department of Health. National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management. 2019.
- Painaustralia. The Cost of Pain in Australia.
- Healthdirect Australia. Chronic Pain.
- Chronic Pain Australia. National Pain Week.
Last reviewed: November 2026
This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for individualised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Pain can have many different causes, and persistent, worsening or unexplained symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
