Let’s be honest—pain is something we all know. Whether it’s a stubbed toe or a heartbreak, pain is one of the most powerful forces on earth. It can push us forward or shut us down. But not all pain is created equal, and understanding how it works might just change the way you deal with it.

There’s physical pain, emotional pain, psychological pain—even existential pain. Some forms of pain lead to growth: think of sore muscles after a workout, or the “growing pains” of starting a new business. They hurt, sure, but they help us grow stronger, wiser, and more capable.

But then there’s the other kind. The pain that limits us—pain from injury, overuse, or compensation. The kind that keeps us from doing the things we love. This is the pain that often gets overlooked, and yet, it’s crucial. Why? Because it’s trying to protect you.

Here’s a surprising fact: your body doesn’t actually have “pain receptors.” That’s right—pain itself isn’t detected directly. What we do have are receptors for heat, pressure, chemicals, mechanical, or a combination (nociceptive). These little sensors are scattered throughout your tissues. When they’re overstimulated—too much heat, too much pressure, too much movement—your brain interprets that data and decides, “This feels like pain.”

That means pain is actually a brain decision, based on incoming signals from these receptors. And here’s where it gets interesting: those receptors are firing all the time, but your brain only labels the sensation as pain when it hits a certain threshold.

So, how do you stay below that threshold—especially in your muscles, joints, and bones?

That’s where smart movement comes in.

At Integrated Health Solutions, we specialize in identifying the subtle dysfunctions in your movement patterns—those small imbalances that, over time, build up and push your receptors into overload. Our integrated approach helps ensure your daily activities don’t quietly build up into discomfort, stiffness, or outright pain.

We don’t just treat pain—we teach your body how to move in a way that prevents it.

Want to know if your tissues are overcompensating? Curious whether your pain might be coming from something deeper than just “getting older”? We’re here to help.

Give us a call at 317.449.2020 to schedule an evaluation with one of our doctors.

Content provided by Dr. Andrew Sanders