September is Pain Awareness Month

At Link Physical Therapy, we see people navigating both acute pain and chronic pain (pain lasting longer than 3 months). One of the most challenging aspects of persistent pain is simply understanding why it continues — even when the original injury has healed.

That’s why we recommend the book Why Do I Hurt? by Dr. Adriaan Louw. It’s a short, approachable read that makes the often complicated science of pain easier to understand. Dr. Louw explains how the brain and nervous system can continue to send pain signals, even when the body is no longer in danger.

This short video also gives a quick overview of how the brain recognizes pain: Understanding Pain in Less Than 5 Minutes

Pain is beneficial — it alerts us to potential harm. But when those pain signals keep firing after the danger has passed, it can be confusing, frightening, and of course, painful.

Too often, persistent pain holds people back from activities they love — sports, playing with kids, or even taking a simple walk — because of fear of further injury. Learning how pain really works and discovering ways to calm the nervous system can be an empowering step toward taking life back.

Knowledge is powerful. And when it comes to pain, understanding is the first step toward managing.