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Just Because You Don’t See It Doesn’t Mean It’s Not There
Pain comes in many forms whether you can see it or not.
About 3 weeks ago, I developed a knot in my left shoulder. It was annoying, but I tolerated it.
Then, one night, something shifted and popped. Since that time, the pain moves around my left shoulder blade, sometimes running down my left arm, other times up the left side of my neck.
Some days it seems better and less annoying. But then there are days like today where it’s distracting and exceptionally unpleasant. Ibuprofen sometimes has some impact — but now is not one of those times.
For the record — I see my doctor in less than a week.
I have no visible injury and there is no evidence of the pain. But it’s there. And despite my very high pain tolerance — it’s still distracting and disconcerting.
But just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. And this is true of lots of pain-related illnesses and injuries.
I would also argue that this applies to mental health and related emotional and spiritual health as well.
As a society — we only readily accept pain when it’s visible. Wounds, broken limbs, people walking with limps, and so on.
