Questioning Pain

We learn at an early age that pain means something is wrong.  That pain is indicative of an infection, an injury, or an illness.  That it's something that is fixable with an aspirin, antibiotic, a bandage, a doctor's visit, or a cast.  That the doctor could feel the heat radiating from the sprain, see the muscle tear on the MRI, the fracture on the X-ray, or diagnose painful strep throat from the swab.  We're told that it hurts now, but it will feel better.