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Pain Has Its Place

Read more articles on Life's Nuances and Let Me Share With You.

February 14, 2007

Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz

About This Editor: Karen has enjoyed her many varied experiences in corporate business management, dance education, and preschool assistance. She hopes to write about these past lives-and more-from her home in Pittsburgh, PA, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and 3 cats.

         

So what on earth could this article be about, with a title like that? Well, it all stems from watching my favorite TV series, “House”, last night-about a girl who had a condition that made it impossible for her to feel pain. It got me thinking about how very odd our existence would be if none of us could ever feel physical discomfort or pain…

This 16 year old had to do self-checks throughout the day, making sure she hadn’t inadvertently hurt herself. She consistently checked her entire body for bleeding, swelling, bruises and scratches, set an alarm to remind herself to go to the bathroom and couldn’t even cry.

As I wondered about the different scenarios connected with an entire society that had no physical feelings, I was amazed by the amount of control the subject of pain holds over us. I bet more than half of what we do is subconsciously directed to avoid pain on some level, either in the present or at some future time. If that connection was removed, just think about what our lives might be like.

We’d be walking around without proper clothing or shoes and taking ridiculous chances if we knew we’d never experience any consequences connected to unsafe activities. Kids wouldn’t be abashed by a slap or spankings and fighting would be rampant. We’d never know when to stop exercising and, just like the character on the TV show, couldn’t get adequate medical treatment since we couldn’t describe “where it hurts”.

Now, we all have occasions where we wish the pain would go away, but from this context, it does have a job to do: letting us know when we’ve pushed too far, or done something not wise. It’s the body talking to us, and occasionally, forcing us to listen.

By the way-the genius of Gregory House realized that the girl’s condition was a connection to a particular deficiency; yet he still insisted on surgery. Sure enough, they operated on the girl, and with her wide awake and watching, pulled out a 25 foot tapeworm that was the root cause of the deficiency. (A collective “Ewww” went up from those watching around the country at that moment.)

In any event, once again the show left me pondering the miraculous workings of our bodies, which is why I’m such a fan!

Last 5 Entries by Karen Amato Schwartz

• Play the Game When It Comes to Clothes - July 29th, 2008
• Wearing Sporting Team Merchandise - July 29th, 2008
• Customer Service in Clothing Stores - July 29th, 2008
• Movie Review: Tootsie Will Never Grow Old - July 29th, 2008
• Movie Review: Rain Man Touches Hearts - July 29th, 2008

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