Module 2 - Sensory nervous system
The full resource:
Te io tōpū tairongo
Our sensory nervous system tells us what is going on around us and inside of us. In this module we will explore how that system works and how pain fits in to the picture.
The role and importance of the sensory nervous system HE3205
In this module:
- Meet the sensory nervous system - what is its job and how does it work?
- Explore what pain has to do with the sensory nervous system
- Learn about the differences between acute and chronic pain
Tip: Stay curious
Take note of the influence of your sensory nervous system. Be curious about your favourite food, music, hobbies and why your sensory nervous system decides they are so enjoyable for you. Take note of how you enjoy and attend to some sensations and make an effort to make them happen again, and on the other hand how much you try to avoid unpleasant sensations.
Making sense of your pain is important in the journey of living well with it.
To understand the biology and complexity of what happens when we feel pain – or anything else - can help in this process.
This video explores what happens in the body when we have sensory experiences. Although you will know a lot of what is discussed, we want to draw on some of the fundamental ways this system operates – and malfunctions – as we will be able to transfer these to the way our sensory systems works – and malfunctions when you have chronic pain.
How the sensory nervous system works
Have a look at how our brain makes sense of what it sees and even changes this a little when it doesn’t
The Sensory Nervous system helps us thrive and survive – let’s have a look at what role Pain plays in this
The first video describes that all sensations are outputs of the sensory nervous system, that these are not always correct, and that they can change over time, so let’s now have a look at the biology of pain. We are aware that many people do not have an injury or specific illness/onset of their pain. In this video we are using an injury to explore the biology of pain pathways and the difference of acute and chronic pain. Once pain is chronic, the biological mechanisms are similar, whether there was an injury at the start or not.
How is a pain experience created
We have learned that the SNS makes decisions and sense of the information it receives, that it changes the flavour and quality with repetition – sometimes to our favour, and sometimes not.
There is another function of the SNS we need to highlight, and that is how it regulates what is noticed and what not. Watch this video and follow the instructions as a way of showing this ability to focus and filter out information.
The Pause
Join in on this exercise that taps into your sensory experiences and uses these to help calm and ground. This is an exercise we recommend for regular use, at times of feeling overwhelmed by pain or other stresses
We have already mentioned the terms ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’, read here about this a little more. If you struggle to understand you pain as chronic, please make sure you raise this in your sessions.
Difference between acute and chronic pain HE3208
You have probably wondered about the unpredictability of your pain experiences across your life time – this may help make sense of some of this as it outlines some factors that influence pain.
Unpredictable pain – Soldier on the battlefield HE3209
Listen to how understanding pain has helped others
If you would like some more pain resources or hear from others about their journey with chronic pain here are some: