Chronic back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, repetitive strain injuries, headaches, migraines, and other forms of chronic pain are often not the result of structural causes, but of psychophysiological processes that can be reversed.
Additional syndromes that are examples of neuroplastic pain include Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Central Sensitization Disorder.
Pain is a danger signal. When we injure ourselves, the body normally sends signals to the brain to inform us of tissue damage, and we feel pain. But sometimes, the brain mistakenly interprets physical sensations as a danger signal. Neuroplastic pain results from the brain misinterpreting safe messages from the body as if they were dangerous.
In other words, neuroplastic pain is a false alarm.
Chronic Pain is Not Imaginary
Though chronic pain can be addressed psychologically, this does not imply that the pain is imaginary. Brain imaging studies have repeatedly demonstrated that chronic pain is real, complex, and reflected in imaging studies.
Pain is often the result of learned neural pathways in the brain. And just as pain can be learned, it can also be unlearned. The most effective method to “unlearn” chronic pain is Pain Reprocessing Therapy, otherwise known as PRT.
There are three steps to the PRT process. Step one includes detailed pain education regarding the way neuroplastic pain becomes chronic and the complex ways in which emotional difficulties such as anger, grief, and trauma are implicated.
About Chronic Pain Education
Pain education demands empathy and compassion in delivering information, as individuals often feel invalidated when learning about this issue. Having been told “there’s nothing wrong with you” and “this is all in your head”, individuals are understandably resistant to this information.
Secondly, a simple mindfulness practice called Somatic Tracking is taught, whereby the individual is encouraged to “notice” their pain. This is a brief period of 5-10 minutes, whether the pain increases, decreases, moves, or changes in nature. For example, pain can vary from a throbbing sensation to a sharp, shooting pain.
Finally, physical movement is the third component of PRT. People living with chronic pain are frightened to exacerbate their pain sensations or debilitate themselves further. I encourage pain patients to move more, in whatever way they may enjoy. This is often a slow process, requiring direct discussion about the fear of increased pain.
The Importance of Physical Movement
A useful method for teaching the value of physical movement is called “avoiding avoidance.” Individuals are encouraged to recognize their reactions to fear and to move toward their anxiety rather than away from it.
The combination of pain education, somatic tracking, and physical movement form a powerful treatment for individuals living with chronic pain.
Awakenings Treatment Center provides holistic treatment options for pain relief, helping you stop the progression of pain and disability before it worsens. Contact our Admissions Team via our website, or call 833-832-7176.
