Why Some People Develop Chronic Pain After Injury—And Others Don’t
The ‘Pain Alarm’ That Won’t Turn Off
In my last post, I shared how 1 in 4 people develop chronic pain after an injury—meaning their nervous system stays overly sensitive, even when the original injury has healed. But why does this happen to some people and not others?
The answer goes beyond physical damage. One major factor? The environment in which the injury occurs.
How Your Injury Environment Shapes Your Pain Experience
Think back to a time when you were injured.
Was it traumatic? A car accident, a career-ending injury, or a time in life when everything felt overwhelming?
Did it come with major consequences? Like losing a job, financial strain, or extreme stress?
Or was it a minor setback? Something you recovered from quickly, maybe during a time when life felt stable and stress-free?
These contextual factors matter—they play a major role in how pain is experienced, how long it lasts, and whether it becomes chronic. But don’t just take my word for it. Research demonstrates this phenomenon.
What a Study on Crash Victims and Demolition Derby Drivers Revealed
A fascinating study compared two groups of people who experience frequent collisions and physical trauma:
1️⃣ Demolition Derby Drivers:
These drivers intentionally crash into each other up to 50 times an hour at speeds of 24 mph, accumulating roughly 1,500 collisions over their careers. Yet, Despite constant whiplash and repeated high-impact injuries, only 2% (1 in 40) develop chronic pain.
2️⃣ Single-Car Accident Victims
Now, let’s compare that to individuals involved in a single-car accident—an event that’s often unexpected and out of their control. In these cases, up to 50% develop chronic pain—even if their injuries were less severe than those of the demolition derby drivers.
What This Teaches Us About Chronic Pain
This study challenges the idea that pain is purely mechanical—if that were true, the demolition derby drivers would be in severe, lifelong pain from the thousands of collisions they experience.
Instead, it highlights an essential truth:
✔ Pain is influenced by more than just tissue damage—it’s shaped by context, perception, and environment.
✔ Unexpected, traumatic injuries—especially when combined with stress—are more likely to lead to chronic pain.
✔ How the brain interprets the injury plays a critical role in long-term recovery.
This is why two people with identical physical injuries can have completely different pain experiences—because their brains are responding to more than just tissue damage.
Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Pain
Understanding the nervous system’s role in pain is key to recovery. Instead of only focusing on the body, we need to address how the brain perceives pain and reframe the nervous system’s response.
At SB Mindful Momentum Physical Therapy Co., we take a holistic, neuroscience-based approach to pain management—helping patients break free from chronic pain by addressing both physical and neurological factors.
📍 Find us inside Montecito Fitness or enjoy mobile physical therapy from the comfort of your own home.
If you or someone you love is struggling with persistent pain, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact us today to learn how we can help you retrain your nervous system and regain control over your pain.
