Podcast Summary
The Brain Creates Chronic Pain, Not Structural Issues: The brain generates pain as a solution, not a problem, and understanding this can help us reframe our perspective and prioritize self-care
Chronic pain is often not caused by structural issues in the body, but rather by the brain's creation of a neural pathway that remembers and perpetuates the pain. This idea, as discussed in an episode of the Feel Better, Live More podcast with Dr. Howard Schubiner, can be challenging to grasp as we've been conditioned to believe that pain equates to a physical injury. However, the pain itself is not the problem but rather a solution, a message from the brain that something is amiss and requires attention. The brain generates this experience of pain by deciding whether to turn it on or not, as demonstrated in the example of a construction worker who steps on a nail. By understanding this, we can reframe our perspective on pain and view it as a blessing in disguise, guiding us towards necessary self-care and healing. Additionally, the speaker mentioned AG1, a nutrient-dense whole food supplement, which can support overall health, energy, focus, gut health, digestion, and a healthy immune system. AG1 is offering a special deal for the podcast listeners, including a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with their first order. For more details, visit drinkagone.com/livemore.
The Brain Predicts and Creates Pain: Research highlights the brain's role in creating pain, especially for individuals with chronic conditions like headaches, neck and back pain, and fibromyalgia, where structural causes may not be present.
All pain, including severe pain, is real and created by the brain. The brain predicts pain based on various stimuli, including emotions and stress, and can create a cycle of pain due to neural circuits that get activated. This is especially relevant for individuals experiencing chronic pain conditions such as headaches, neck and back pain, and fibromyalgia, where structural causes are often not present. Research shows that emotional and physical pain activate the same parts of the brain, making it essential to understand the brain's role in pain perception. A study of 220 consecutive patients with chronic neck and back pain found that 88% had nonstructural pain, emphasizing the need to consider the brain's role in pain perception when structural causes are not apparent.
MRI findings don't always correlate with pain: Many people with no pain exhibit common MRI abnormalities, and pain isn't solely a mental issue, it's a complex interaction between physical and mental factors.
While common age-related abnormalities in MRIs, such as degenerative disc disease, bulging disc, and herniated disc, are often associated with pain, a large percentage of people without any pain at all exhibit these conditions. It's crucial to understand that pain isn't "all in your head," and it's not a sign of weakness or intentional suffering. Instead, it's a complex interaction between physical and mental factors. The brain plays a significant role in producing various conditions, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, and even eating disorders. These conditions are not a result of personal fault or desire but rather a natural response to stress and being human. The key to managing chronic pain is to help patients understand the root cause and provide them with the necessary support and education. However, this perspective faces significant pushback, and it's essential to be prepared for misunderstanding and resistance to the idea that the pain and symptoms are real.
Understanding the emotional and neural aspects of chronic pain: Chronic pain can have both neural and emotional origins, requiring healthcare professionals to carefully evaluate patients and consider pain reprocessing techniques to help break the cycle of fear and pain
Chronic pain can have neural circuit origins, and it's crucial for healthcare professionals to carefully evaluate patients experiencing such pain to rule out structural issues. Unprocessed emotions, particularly fear, can contribute to chronic pain in some individuals, creating a vicious cycle. Pain reprocessing techniques aim to interrupt this cycle by providing the brain with calming messages, helping individuals change their relationship with their symptoms and potentially find relief. My guest's book, "Unlearn Your Pain," offers practical exercises and research on this topic. By understanding the emotional and neural aspects of chronic pain, we can better support those suffering and potentially help them break free from the cycle of pain and fear.
Reinterpreting Pain as a Neural Circuit Issue: The brain's fear reaction can cause pain, and treating it like a fearful child by reassuring it can help alleviate symptoms. Meditation can aid in this process by observing pain without judgment.
Pain is not always a physical issue, but rather a result of the brain's fear reaction. The brain can be treated like a fearful child, and reassuring it that it's safe can help alleviate symptoms. This process, known as pain reprocessing, involves recognizing that the pain is not the enemy but a message from the brain. Meditation can be a useful tool in this process, but only after the initial step of reframing the pain as a neural circuit problem rather than a structural one. By observing the pain without judgment and fear, one can potentially shift the pain or experience relief. This approach can lead to quick results in many cases, as the neurocircuits in the brain are changeable. It's important to note that this method requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that the pain is largely a mental construct rather than a physical reality.
Chronic pain: A complex issue with emotional roots: Effective chronic pain treatment includes emotional awareness and expression therapy, such as intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy and internal family systems work, to address the root causes of pain.
Chronic pain is not just a physical issue, but also an emotional one. Effective treatment involves not only pain reprocessing, but also emotional awareness and expression therapy. Techniques such as intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy and internal family systems work can help individuals deal with the emotions underlying their pain and lead to healing. It's important to remember that everyone's pain experience is unique, and finding the root cause may require exploring various medical paths and investigating the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to the pain. The ultimate goal is not just symptom recovery, but using the pain as a way to gain insight into what's important in one's life. The conversation also emphasized the importance of feeling less alone in the experience of chronic pain, and encouraged a step-by-step approach to understanding and addressing the underlying causes.
