Chronic Pain
Current neuroscience research shows that stress is linked to the development of chronic pain and other physical symptoms via its effects on the immune system and the brain signaling pathways that process emotions and bodily sensations. Stress can result from adverse experiences in childhood or adulthood including trauma or abuse, relationship, work or school stress, or the experience of racism, or other types of discrimination.
In fact, research demonstrates that many types of chronic pain are not due to underlying structural damage in the body, but can be linked back to these altered neural pathways. The term for this type of pain is "neuroplastic". While the source of neuroplastic pain is not structural, this does not mean that the pain is "made up" or "all in your head". Neuroplastic pain is very real, and can be very disabling.
In addition, the experience of chronic pain can itself cause anxiety and stress, creating a self perpetuating cycle in which anxiety or stress lead to physical symptoms which then lead to more anxiety and stress.
Other types of symptoms can also be neuroplastic.
Stress related changes to neural pathways can create other types of symptoms in addition to chronic pain including:
*chronic headaches
*chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, difficulty swallowing
*urinary discomfort
*fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
*neurologic symptoms such as numbness, dizziness, seizures, weakness
How do I know whether or not I have neuroplastic symptoms?
The following are potential signs that your symptoms may be neuroplastic:
- You have received multiple different medical diagnoses for your symptoms.
- Medical treatment has been ineffective or only provided temporary relief.
- Your symptoms started during a stressful time in your life.
- Your symptoms can be triggered by stressful situations or the anticipation of stress.
- You symptoms vary in terms of where and when they appear and how severe they are.
- You have had symptoms in multiple parts of your body.
Treatment of neuroplastic symptoms:
Neuroscience has demonstrated that the brain is "plastic", meaning neural pathways are not fixed or permanent, but can change and reorganize over time. Fortunately, this means that stress related changes to brain signaling that cause physical symptoms can be reversed. The brain can be "re-trained" to create new neural pathways, reducing the frequency and severity of pain or other symptoms.
Exciting new therapies for chronic pain have developed as a result of this new neuroscience that can greatly reduce and even eliminate symptoms. In particular, I am specifically trained in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, as developed by Alan Gordon at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles. (More information about this treatment approach is available in Alan Gordon's book "The Way Out", and in a recently published peer reviewed placebo controlled research trial in JAMA - links provided in this website under "Resources")
Retraining the brain involves:
*Understanding emotional, psychological, physical and environmental triggers for symptoms
*Modifying negative thoughts, beliefs and mood
*Decreasing focus on symptoms and fear of symptoms
*Enhancing states of calm and relaxation
Current neuroscience research shows that stress is linked to the development of chronic pain and other physical symptoms via its effects on the immune system and the brain signaling pathways that process emotions and bodily sensations. Stress can result from adverse experiences in childhood or adulthood including trauma or abuse, relationship, work or school stress, or the experience of racism, or other types of discrimination.
In fact, research demonstrates that many types of chronic pain are not due to underlying structural damage in the body, but can be linked back to these altered neural pathways. The term for this type of pain is "neuroplastic". While the source of neuroplastic pain is not structural, this does not mean that the pain is "made up" or "all in your head". Neuroplastic pain is very real, and can be very disabling.
In addition, the experience of chronic pain can itself cause anxiety and stress, creating a self perpetuating cycle in which anxiety or stress lead to physical symptoms which then lead to more anxiety and stress.
Other types of symptoms can also be neuroplastic.
Stress related changes to neural pathways can create other types of symptoms in addition to chronic pain including:
*chronic headaches
*chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, difficulty swallowing
*urinary discomfort
*fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
*neurologic symptoms such as numbness, dizziness, seizures, weakness
How do I know whether or not I have neuroplastic symptoms?
The following are potential signs that your symptoms may be neuroplastic:
- You have received multiple different medical diagnoses for your symptoms.
- Medical treatment has been ineffective or only provided temporary relief.
- Your symptoms started during a stressful time in your life.
- Your symptoms can be triggered by stressful situations or the anticipation of stress.
- You symptoms vary in terms of where and when they appear and how severe they are.
- You have had symptoms in multiple parts of your body.
Treatment of neuroplastic symptoms:
Neuroscience has demonstrated that the brain is "plastic", meaning neural pathways are not fixed or permanent, but can change and reorganize over time. Fortunately, this means that stress related changes to brain signaling that cause physical symptoms can be reversed. The brain can be "re-trained" to create new neural pathways, reducing the frequency and severity of pain or other symptoms.
Exciting new therapies for chronic pain have developed as a result of this new neuroscience that can greatly reduce and even eliminate symptoms. In particular, I am specifically trained in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, as developed by Alan Gordon at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles. (More information about this treatment approach is available in Alan Gordon's book "The Way Out", and in a recently published peer reviewed placebo controlled research trial in JAMA - links provided in this website under "Resources")
Retraining the brain involves:
*Understanding emotional, psychological, physical and environmental triggers for symptoms
*Modifying negative thoughts, beliefs and mood
*Decreasing focus on symptoms and fear of symptoms
*Enhancing states of calm and relaxation