Pain warns us to move away from heat, cold, and sharp objects before injury occurs and makes us aware of the presence of disease and tissue damage; thus it usually influences us to seek medical attention. On the other hand fear of pain may cause us to delay medical treatment, and if its cause cannot be located and relieved, its presence serves no useful purpose and it becomes harmful.
Severe and continuous pain eventually causes physical and mental exhaustion and prevents the individual from functioning productively.