Perpetuating Factors

This is an excerpt from the workbook I developed for the Pain Relief thru Trigger Points class.

When pain (especially chronic) seems difficult to eliminate be sure to examine these factors that can allow pain to linger:

Psychological fitness
Depression and PTSD often become factors in chronic pain. Your stress level and coping skills can feed into your pain pattern.

Physical fitness
Being overweight or simply inactive is a factor in pain. Likewise, excessive exercise without adequate rest can maintain and reactivate pain.

Nutritional fitness
Nutritional deficiencies are known to contribute to pain. Vitamins and minerals are needed for proper body functions including muscle contraction and relaxation.

Structural health
A structural condition (for example, an unstable SI joint, facet damage, surgical pins/rods) can perpetuate pain if they are not resolved.

Treatment
Over or under treatment can perpetuate pain, as can inappropriate treatment.

Trauma/Disease/Illness
Many diseases, disorders (cancer, nerve damage) have a component of pain to them. Even the flu causes muscle pain. History of injury (broken bone, whiplash, etc) can be a factor in pain.

Ergonomics/Body mechanics
Consider the way you are using or misusing your body during work and recreation.