Are You Ignoring Your Pain?

   Most of us don't like pain. Unless you're one of those self loathing people who still believe the lie of "No pain, No gain". But even though you do not like or enjoy pain, you still shouldn't ignore it. Pain is a form of communication. You can even think of it as a friendly reminder, which can get increasingly more irritable as it goes ignored. Kind of like those alarm clocks who's volume increases the longer it goes unsnoozed. 
   Pain can be the most effective form of motivation to spur action. Even though we hate it, pain is extremely useful. From a very early age pain teaches us what to pay attention to. it shows us what is good for us or what is bad or even dangerous for us. It teaches us our limitations. The first time you touched a hot stove or iron, it taught you that wasn't the best idea. I have, to a degree, let pain teach a lesson a time or two to my kids. The lesson probably came right after me mumbling under my breath "They have to learn somehow".
   Whether you agree with my parenting or not, pain can teach a lesson faster than any parental warning. So why do we ignore pain as we get older? It's like we totally forgot pain's role as our teacher. We would rather silence pain then learn the lesson. Which I get it, the lessons aren't always fun. But let me give you an example. When you are sitting at your desk and you start to experience tightness and tension through your neck and shoulders. We have all been there. Do you think that is because your body needs an Advil? Is it deficient in Ibuprofen? I doubt it. It' your old pal pain, coming to remind you to stand up, get out of your chair. It is saying we cant do this anymore. So what would be the wise course of action? Ignore pain? Or maybe I should get a standing desk? Go see a chiropractor. Go to the gym. Or get a massage.
​   The funny thing about pain is the longer you ignore it the tougher the lessons get.