The system in this discussion is the nervous system – since it is the system that produces the pain experience.
This includes sensitized pain receptors in the tissues, the autonomic and sympathetic nervous system, and cognitive systems.We have to respect motions, activity and load tolerances because persistent irritation will potentially lead to chronic pain thanks to the negative aspects of neuroplasticity.
Another factor in calming the system is managing anxiety or negative emotions. Pain elicits negative emotions. So it’s important to not allow those emotions to dictate your recovery.
Again these can factor into a persistent pain state due to the unhealthy adaptations to pain.
Our culture of work almost champions people who ignore pain and just power through. However, pushing through pain usually becomes counterproductive in the long term. Always keeping the pain pathways activated could lead to a more maladaptive chronic pain state in which neuroplastic changes can occur. So our pain level rule is to not let the pain jump more than 1 level.
For instance if you have to participate in an activity that causes the pain to increase from mild to moderate then you have two options, stop the activity until the pain returns to the original level or adjust your postures, positions, duration of activity or reduce the load your carrying until the pain recedes to the original level.
There is a PDF copy of these guidelines available in Better Back Programs.