When you have pain, it constantly draws your attention to try to rub or massage it. It doesn't stop nagging you. I remember when I used to look for corners to dig my back into, twisting my neck trying to "pop" it, and any other so-called solutions I could find. They never really worked.
I was always doing this while I was in class, or at work, or socializing and it was really hard to focus on what I was supposed to do. I really couldn't be myself, I couldn't ever focus on what I was trying to do. Always distracted by that nagging ache that just wouldn't go away. Maybe some of that sounds familiar to you?