Pain is a perceived threat and technically an emotion. Studies show that when pain is experienced, it shows up in the limbic (emotional) centers of the brain. Pain can be expressed on many levels of our physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual selves. So how does pain work?

Due to evolution, embryology, emotions, and physiology, the soft tissue of our bodies reflects our emotional anatomy. The joints of our skeleton portray our underlying psychological state. Humans are wired to survive, and the body is a master compensator. The insides contain vital blood supplies and neural connections that organize and play physical, emotional, and psychological roles in maintaining our balance of being.

Any dysfunction related to internal compressions is therefore likely to result in altered muscular recruitment to minimize compression on our internal structures. This altered recruitment initially presents itself as a functional compensation and, if not corrected, a structural compensation. Compensations inevitably result in premature wear and tear on joints, over and underused musculature, as well as dysfunction within the organ system.

We all have a genetic predisposition to something; however, statistically, that only accounts for 3-5% of pain. The rest is made up of accidents with 10% and 85% being idiopathic, meaning of unknown origin. So what can we do for idiopathic pain? We try a holistic approach. Choosing nutrition over quantity, correcting posture with an exercise program that’s designed for you, and having a dream/goal or objective that’s so strong it can overcome any roadblock. Most diagnoses take years, if not decades, to show up. Pain is what we feel when the body can no longer effectively compensate.

One could argue that idiopathic pain on any level starts with a single thought (bear with me). A thought you keep thinking turns into a belief. That belief shapes behavior and, in turn, directs an outcome. If one lives life a certain way due to beliefs—be it social, sexual, religious ideologies, etc.—that aren’t congruent with who they are as an individual, that is likely to lead to “heaviness” mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and eventually physically.

Looking through the lens of the Chakra system, we hold the energy of our ideas in certain parts of the body. For example, any ideas of safety and security (in the modern world translated to financial, relationships, tribal associations) are held at the base of the spine, specifically L5-S5, rectum, low back, adrenals, coccygeal nerves, and any organ, muscle, or joint on that nerve channel. Stress in these centers is from excess energy, and when there’s too much energy running through a circuit, it can blow the fuse. That's when we have pain.

From a mechanical or physical viewpoint, pain is often due to uneven loading on joints, over and under usage of muscles that crossover or attach to that joint(s), and when force is generated by lifting loads extrinsically (lifting or catching an object) or intrinsically (the load of a joint complex affecting another joint) is not countered or dissipated throughout the body by the activation of the core musculature.

There is often a varied understanding of the "core" across different professions, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, and Pilates. Anatomically, the core consists of the pelvic floor (made up of 22 muscles that support digestive eliminations), the diaphragm (main breathing muscle), the Transverse Abdominus (referred to as TVA or TrA in literature, which helps pull the lower back into extension or upright), the internal oblique (which works with the external oblique to stabilize the spine during rotation), and the multifidus (which supports intrinsic movements to stabilize the spine). Neurologically, these muscles are designed to work together. However, many rehabilitation protocols focus on isolating certain muscles, sometimes overlooking the importance of integrating them into coordinated movement patterns.

The remedy: Activate any deactivated muscles (the brain often shuts them down to avoid pain) and integrate the necessary movements for your daily activities or sports. Restore your flexibility, stability, strength, and power as needed.

To ensure you're on the right track, start with a simple posture check: stand against a wall with your heels, buttocks, and shoulders touching it. If you can slip your hand easily between the wall and your lower back without arching, your posture is likely aligned. Additionally, you could film yourself while performing common movements or exercises to spot any imbalances.

For more personalised guidance, consider a professional postural assessment. By addressing these areas, you can alleviate pain and improve your daily comfort and mobility.