Understanding Why Pain Isn't Always Where the Problem Lies: The Body's Healing Hierarchy

Model replicas of human organs and bones used for studying the body's systems and their roles in promoting healing.

If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain or recurring injuries, you may have noticed that the pain you feel isn’t always in the exact spot causing the issue. For example, knee pain could stem from issues in the hip, and back pain could relate to limitations in the shoulder or other areas. This is because our bodies operate in a complex hierarchy, prioritising some systems over others to keep everything functioning smoothly. To truly resolve pain, it’s essential to look at the whole picture—not just the immediate area where discomfort shows up.

The Body’s System Hierarchy:

Imagine the body’s systems arranged in layers, like a tiered system that prioritises certain functions to keep us going. Here’s how it works:

• Nervous System – The “control center” that keeps everything else running smoothly.

• Lymphatic System – The body’s waste removal and detox system.

• Digestive System – Helps absorb nutrients to fuel your cells.

• Vascular System – Circulates oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

• Organs – Vital functions to keep you alive and thriving.

• Nerves – Carry messages from the brain to different parts of your body.

• Endocrine System – Hormone production that regulates growth, mood, and metabolism.

• Musculoskeletal System – Bones, muscles, and joints that give us strength and mobility.

• Soft Tissues – Muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues.

This “hierarchy” means that if you feel pain or restriction in one system, the root cause may actually lie in a higher-priority system that isn’t functioning optimally.

How This Impacts Pain and Recovery

When you have an issue in a lower-order system, like muscles or joints, the solution might not come from working on those areas alone. For example, if you’ve had chronic muscle pain, the root cause could stem from limitations in a higher-order system like the nervous or lymphatic system, which can affect how well your body handles toxins or recovers from injury.

 Example: The Lymphatic System’s Role in Pain

The lymphatic system helps clear waste and toxins from your body. When it’s not functioning well, toxins can build up, causing inflammation or stiffness in lower-order systems, like your muscles and joints. Supporting lymphatic health—by staying hydrated, getting gentle exercise, and even focusing on breathing—can often lead to noticeable improvements in pain without having to focus directly on the sore muscle or joint.

How Osteopathy Fits In:

The founder of osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still, believed that health comes from harmony within the body’s systems. Instead of just treating the symptoms, osteopathy takes a “big picture” approach, looking at how each system impacts another. This holistic philosophy means that an osteopath might focus on improving blood flow, lymphatic drainage, or nervous system function, as these can have a profound effect on areas experiencing pain. 

This approach aligns with Dr. Perry Nickelston’s “Body Systems Hierarchy” idea, which suggests that treating pain at the site doesn’t always resolve the root issue. Instead, by supporting high-priority systems, the body is better equipped to manage pain and promote healing on its own.

An osteopath guides a patient through therapeutic exercises, highlighting a holistic approach to support the body's natural healing processes.

What This Means for You:

If you’re tired of treating symptoms without lasting relief, it may be time to look at the bigger picture. By focusing on the health of high-priority systems, you can often address the underlying issues that create recurring pain.

Ways to Support Your Body’s Systems:

• Stay Hydrated – Good hydration helps support lymphatic flow and toxin removal.

• Incorporate Gentle Movement – Activities like walking and stretching can stimulate your nervous and lymphatic systems without overloading your body.

• Breathe Deeply – Deep breathing exercises can support the nervous and vascular systems, improving overall blood flow and calming inflammation.

Addressing pain by focusing on high-priority systems like the nervous and lymphatic systems can lead to more effective, lasting relief, as it allows the body to function as a cohesive whole.

 References

- Project Gutenberg, 2023. Philosophy of Osteopathy by Andrew Taylor Still. Available at: <https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25864>

- Medical News Today, 2023. The Glymphatic System and its Role in Brain Health. Available at: <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/glymphatic-system>

- Dr. Lam Coaching, 2023. Lymphatic System Health and Detoxification. Available at: <https://www.drlamcoaching.com>

- Stop Chasing Pain, 2023. The Body Systems Hierarchy by Dr. Perry Nickelston. Available at: <https://www.stopchasingpain.com>