2 - The healing process

Summary

Human beings respond to injury in three ways. Autonomous responses are the most important ones in healing, and involve all those processes which the organism can invoke to regain health or equilibrium, including the various immunological and related systems. A cut finger rarely needs much more than to be rinsed in water (or licked clean), and it will heal “by itself.” Specific responses are those of the body to the content of medical treatment - to the salicylates in willow bark tea, or to the antibiotic quality of penicillin. The direct pressure of a bandage on a cut finger might facilitate its healing. Meaning responses follow from the interaction with the context in which healing occurs - with the “power” of the laser in surgery, or with the red color of the pill that contains stimulating medication. Sometimes, a bandage on a cut finger works better if it has a picture of Snoopy on it. These three sorts of factors all work together to enhance the sick individual's return to health.

Pain relief with “Trivaricane” and saline solution

To illustrate this threesome, I will describe the results of some research involving pain. Now pain is a tricky thing to deal with. I can't see or measure pain; I can only listen to what you say about it. And asking you about your pain is likely to change its intensity.