I considered not bringing up the topic at all.

It was only a part of my seminar, which included habituation and how habituation is mediated in the brain. People become habituated to food, sugar, gambling, smoking, and other things because of basic reinforcement cues from the brain. Chronic pain is only one example where reinforcement may occur.
Starting off the seminar was an amusing example (this speaker used alot of humor) of a common habituation behavior which he delivered in the punch line=LOVE. We all fall in love at one time or another (hopefully) and this involves habit behavior, need and has a withdrawal, and involves dopamine to some extent. In fact my new kitten, Houdini, is really really attached to Weezie which now, she will roam the house calling for her. Never had a cat do THIS, in 40 yrs of having multiple cats at a time. So it even occurred to me that Houdini has reinforcement needs for her feline PAL. (Houdini is very unusual anyway, and that is why I picked her out...she is very very loving and gentle).

I've controlled my pain issues carefully like RideOn is posting about. I continued to work, and do most activities until I became too old to keep up with the stamina required. My fall and injury to some thigh tendons, was the last straw for me, and it was time for me to retire anyway. Too much stress nowadays in my work, and 13hr days often in a row, standing is just impossible for me now.

I'll also say for the newbies, I've actively pursued many avenues for my pain myself. Various patches, rubs, low level laser, ice, special shoes, magnets, and of course dietary and supplement supports. Focusing on learning about PN, pain, and looking for
ways to live with it, has reduced the pain loop for me, I believe.

We DO have to become master of our own minds and bodies today. It is a learning skill, and people have to understand that results are slow in coming, but will come for many.