I actually have chronic pain in my shoulders. I have had shoulder issues since I was in high school from swimming. My dad also has chronic pain in his knees and in his back. Some unhealthy ways people will attempt to cope with pain is to use alcohol, nicotine and/ or drugs. Another unhealthy way people can deal with pain is overeating. I did not think overeating was a way to deal with pain but when they mentioned it, I can see the trouble with it. A healthy alternative way to treat chronic pain is to go see a physical therapist so they can diagnosis the pain and help treat the pain. Another healthy way to treat pain is to exercise, some exercises that are good for pain are yoga and tai chi. Yoga and tai chi help with people’s physical and mental well-being. Another healthy way to cope with pain is meditation and deep-breathing techniques. These techniques help people relax and get to a restful place.
A gene that is being targeted for gene therapy is the NOP- coding gene. Targeting this gene will inhibit the effects of stress. Opioids are drugs that can inhibit pain sensation in the amygdala. I think feeling pain can be based on society. I think we can all control are pain to some extent. For example, take a child who skins their knee from falling off their bike and they are screaming their heads off because it hurts really bad. When you calm that child down and have them relax usually the pain lessens. A lot of pain is psychological. We think it is worse than it actually is.
Myers, W. (2012). The Best and Worst Ways to Cope with Pain. Everyday Health. Retrieved from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-cope-.with-pain.aspx.
Roberto, M. (2014). Nociceptin: Nature’s Balm for the Stressed Brain. Retrieved from: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2014/20140108roberto.html.