Prior to this change, painkillers worked on most causes of slowdown (reducing traumatic_shock, which when above 80, would start accumulating shock_stage) but not all.
Having 40 damage or more would cause you to have slowdown. Even if your arms and hands were hit with 10 damage each (40 damage total) and then you downed the strongest non-slowing down painkiller (tramadol) you would still be slowed down like it did nothing.
With this change, it makes your pain take painkillers into account.
Additionally, as an unintended side effect, it allows for PAIN INCREASERS to be used. Meaning if the person is in any pain, it will amplify their pain slowdown.