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Pain serves as a warning mechanism, signaling potential harm to the body when it functions properly. However, when pain persists without any actual tissue damage, it no longer fulfills its purpose. This is known as neuroplastic pain.

Our brains can maintain the sensation of pain due to factors such as anxiety, stress, fear of injury or illness, perfectionism, shame, grief, or suppressed emotions, which can exaggerate the pain signal. Often, this process happens unconsciously, without us being fully aware of it.

The brain transmits both chemical and electrical signals throughout the body, each controlling various processes, and the brain interprets them accordingly. Some signals may cause feelings of fatigue, while others trigger pain.

Typically, pain is felt when the body detects damage and sends a signal to the brain, which then directs the sensation of pain to the area of perceived injury.

In chronic pain situations, the brain can generate pain signals even when there is no actual physical damage. This can be thought of as a false alarm.

Regardless of whether pain stems from tissue injury or established neural pathways, all pain is ultimately produced by the brain.

Our brains generate chronic pain because they believe they are safeguarding us, even though they aren't.

The issue is that our brains evolved with the primary objective of ensuring our survival. They prioritize safety over comfort, which can lead to an overprotective response. As a result, the brain may send pain signals even when there’s no actual harm. This is particularly likely when past experiences or current stressors keep the brain's threat detection system heightened.

First, pain is always real because it is produced by the brain. Studies have demonstrated that even pain without a physical cause activates the same brain regions as pain from injury. The key difference with neuroplastic pain is that no actual tissue damage occurs, and the pain results from the brain becoming overly protective and forming unhelpful patterns.

Second, a diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean there’s a physical problem in the body. Many diagnoses only describe symptoms or conditions without a clear cause. These types of conditions are commonly linked to anxiety and depression and are aggravated by stress, which highlights the brain’s significant role in the process.

Furthermore, doctors are trained to find and address physical issues. However, even bodily abnormalities can be “normal” and may not cause pain in the majority of people with them. For example, research shows that 64% of people without back pain have herniated discs and degeneration.

TO LEARN MORE -  SOME INTRODUCTORY RESOURCES

Self-assessments and list of conditions that can be helped, Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (scroll down for symptoms and assessment)

How to Determine the Cause of Your Pain (7-minute video)

"The Pain Brain," New York Times series of articles

"Neural Pathways" and chronic pain, Pain Psychology Center (3-minute video)

"Reign of Pain," Dr. Howard Schubiner talk (20-minute video)

"Why Things Hurt," Lorimer Moseley TED Talk (15-minute video)

Psychophysiologic Disorders Association Resources

This Might Hurt Resources

LISTEN

Podcast interview with Lily on chronic pain recovery 

"Dolorology" episode on pain science from Ologies podcast

Like Mind, Like Body podcast

Tell Me About Your Pain podcast

The Cure for Chronic Pain podcast with Nicole Sachs

WATCH

This Might Hurt, documentary on the work of Dr. Schubiner

All the Rage, documentary on the work of Dr. Sarno

READ

The Way Out, Alan Gordon

Unlearn Your Pain, Dr. Howard Schubiner

The Mind-Body Prescription, Dr. John Sarno

The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

When the Body Says No, Dr. Gabor Maté

There are many more resources out there! Please feel free to send feedback about what you find helpful as you make your way into the world of mind-body medicine.