Pain is something which remains quite mysterious in science as it is quite common for people to experience pain with no known cause. It is a signal to us that something is wrong and without it we are in grave danger. Most of the time it is clear what the cause is; such as injury but often it is not. Fear is often experienced as an emotional response to pain; either fear of the unknown but also fear of the known.
Fear of the unknown is a basic feeling we remember from our history as man. This impacts on our adrenals and so pain can lead to lethargy when we experience the low following an adrenaline boost or (if long-term) we deplete our adrenaline supplies. Sometimes pain can become less severe when a diagnosis can be given as it is no longer associated with the emotion of fear. However, there can also be fear of the known in patients such as those with arthritis where the pain is chronic. In this case knowing that something will cause you pain causes fear and also avoidance. This can mean that people that might improve by activity do not do so because of the pain.
In our modern society pain is seen as inconvenient and unpleasant. Aches are shunned as signs of an underlying pathology in favour of popping a few paracetomols. This encourages disconnection between the mind and body and is in contradiction with wholism. Similarly in hospitals pain killers are often prescribed without consulting the patient what so ever as it is assumed that they are wanted by each individual. Pressure may be put upon you to take what has been prescribed as though it is a binding contract. As pain is an important signal to us that we need to give our body attention and investigate the cause it can be dangerous to simply take things which stop that signal as improvements are more difficult to monitor.
A common cause of abdominal pain which is medicated regularly with pain killers is period pain. Presently, period pain is common and often thought of as a normal part of the period. For this reason, and others, periods are often viewed as an inconvenience and unpleasant. Although cramping pain is usual as the uterus contracts 50% of women experience dysmenorrhoea (severe period pain) and 10% experience pain which leave them bed bound for 1-3 days every month. If the pain is not caused by an organic pathology one has to wonder what the pain is signalling.
It is possible that the pain is a signal that we should pay attention to wherever the pain is coming from; in this case, the womb. This could indicate psychological issues with the womb, but considering the high incidence rates it is quite logical to assume the problem is one found in society rather than individuals. It would be interesting to see what the incidence of dysmenorrhoea was when periods were still respected and revered and seen as a powerful time for a woman. Perhaps, the pain we experience now is due to our patriarchal society which does not have time for female bodily functions and as we ignore the power of our wombs our bodies respond by causing pain and bring our attention back to them.
Here's an idea for the theory: Respect your womb. Take some time out when you have your period and see whether it eradicates your period pain. Remember it's not what you do but how you do it; with respect and reverence. xx