What is the purpose of pain?

Donna Hill Howes, RN

Family Practitioner

Believe it or not, pain can be a good thing. The nervous system triggers a sensation of pain to stop you from doing something that might cause a severe injury and to let you know that something may be wrong. In most cases, if you treat the source of the pain, it will go away.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Pain

Pain is your body telling you that you have hurt it. This is a good thing, important when you are injured. It can also help diagnose problems with your body. Sometimes pain continues long after it's necessary. Amputees report phantom pain in the legs or arms they no longer have. There are different kinds of pain, and describing the type is useful in diagnosis: recurring, constant, steady, knife-like, radiating, sharp, dull. Medicines that dull pain are analgesics. Those that kill all feeling are anesthetics.

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What is the purpose of pain?

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