[UFJon]

Emptiness is so important because it is the nature of all things. Just as a reflection in a drop of water is empty of actual existence being just a reflection, so the entire ego is also empty of substantiality.

The issue of physical pain is only ended with the death of the body and preventing a rebirth. The Buddha did experience physical pain, but he endured the pain with equinimity of mind. The Buddha also lived for 80 years, an impressive feat 1000 years ago let alone 2500 years ago. So although the Dhamma includes a psychological freedom from suffering, the Dhamma also contains physical advice such as living without attachment to possessions to avoid the stress those possessions cause to our bodies. Difficult, but not impossible.