Are We Causing More Damage by Ignoring Recurring
Niggles?
As a chiropractor in Sydney, one of the most common issues we treat is chronic pain — the
kind that lingers long after an injury has “healed” or keeps coming back after what feels like
minor triggers. So, are these recurring niggles doing more damage? Or is something else going
on?
Let’s break it down.
What Causes Acute Soft Tissue Injury?
There are typically two ways soft tissue can be damaged:
- A large, sudden stimulus that exceeds the tissue’s capacity — for example, lifting
something too heavy. - A smaller, repeated stimulus that gradually fatigues the tissue over time — like poor
posture or inefficient movement patterns.
It’s often the second scenario we see most in practice. The classic example: someone “does
their back” putting on a sock. It wasn’t the sock — it was years of slouching at a desk, poor
movement habits, and muscle imbalances. This is known as the Creep Phenomenon, which
we’ve explored in a previous blog post.
What Happens During the Healing Process?
Following a soft tissue injury, an acute inflammation and pain response occurs. The general rule
is that soft tissue healing takes around 4–6 weeks, depending on the severity. Full ruptures or
complex tears may take longer.
But here’s the issue: even after the tissue has healed, many people continue to feel pain.
Even the most dedicated patients — who stretch, strengthen, and move well — sometimes
report pain returning weeks, months or years later.
So what’s really going on?
Welcome to Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than 3–6 months or recurring intermittently over a
long period. Often, the original tissue is no longer damaged — so why does it still hurt?
Central Sensitisation: When the Nervous System
Becomes Overprotective
The key mechanism here is central sensitisation. It’s a neurological process where your
central nervous system (CNS)— including your brain and spinal cord — becomes
hypersensitive after repeated pain experiences.
How it works:
● Your nervous system remembers pain, just like it remembers how to ride a bike.
● When a similar movement or situation arises, the brain may “sound the alarm” — even
if no damage is occurring.
● Over time, it takes less stimulus to trigger pain.
This means your body is responding protectively, even when there’s no longer a threat.
The Role of Emotion and Fear in Pain
The limbic system, the part of the brain that manages emotions and behavioural responses,
plays a big role in pain perception.
If you’ve associated certain movements (like bending or lifting) with past injuries, your brain may
pre-emptively trigger pain signals, expecting the same result. This creates a loop where fear
and anticipation drive the pain response — often unnecessarily.
This process is part of what we call the Central Pain Neuromatrix.
Are You Doing More Damage by Moving?
In most cases, no. If movement causes pain, it’s not always a sign of fresh injury. Avoiding all
discomfort can actually reinforce the pain cycle, especially if the movement is biomechanically
sound.
Yes, sometimes poor technique or an extreme stimulus caused the original injury. But often,
recurring pain comes from a lack of movement variability — the range and diversity of
movements we expose our bodies to.
Breaking the Pain Cycle
This is where chiropractic care comes in. At our Sydney clinic, we use a combination of:
● Manual therapy
● Spinal and joint mobilisation
● Soft tissue release
● Shockwave therapy
● Dry needling / acupuncture
Together with tailored movement retraining, we can desensitise the nervous system, restore
mobility, and help you move without fear.
Yes, it often involves gently pushing into discomfort — under expert supervision — to
re-teach your nervous system that it’s safe to move again. In a way we are reconnecting the “electrical wiring” so your nervous system and soft tissues talk better to each other.
Final Thoughts
Pain isn’t always a sign of injury. More often than not, chronic pain is a protective pattern
your nervous system has adopted. And with the right professional guidance, you can rewire it.
So if you’re experiencing ongoing or recurring pain — especially in your back, neck or joints — it
might be time to visit a Sydney chiropractor who understands the neurological and emotional
side of pain.
Need Help With Chronic Pain?
If you’re in Sydney and looking for a chiropractor who can guide you through your recovery,
book an appointment with us today. Let’s help your body move better — and without fear.
References
● Creep phenomenon and postural injury patterns: CDI Education Blog
● Central Sensitisation and Pain Neuromatrix: PainHEALTH WA
● Understanding Chronic Pain: Australian Pain Society
