First, what is pain?

Pain serves as a protective mechanism, alerting us to danger and preventing harm. It is triggered by the brain in response to signals sent from the body when tissue damage occurs, prompting quick reflexes, like pulling away from a hot surface. However, pain is also influenced by the brain’s priorities; for instance, in a life-threatening situation, the brain may temporarily block pain to focus on survival.

Neuroscience explains that pain is created by the brain in response to electrical signals from nerves. These signals can be triggered by physical injuries or emotional stress, as the same brain areas often react to both types of danger and harm. Chronic pain occurs when the brain continues generating pain signals even after an injury has healed, a phenomenon known as neural circuit pain or neuroplastic symptoms. Since much of this process happens in the subconscious, people cannot consciously control it.

But just because pain is created by the brain doesn’t mean it is not “real”.

All pain is real.

Understanding the brain’s role in it is key to reversing neural circuit pain & neuroplastic symptoms.

Neuroplastic Symptoms are any symptoms (including pain) that the brain has learned from a physical or emotional injury or any past experience. These symptoms persist without the occurrence of a structural issue.

How does the subconscious brain determine what is dangerous then?

We can understand this through understanding “Predictive Coding”

 

Our brains shape how we experience the world, often predicting what will happen next based on past events. This concept, called predictive coding, means the brain constantly updates its mental model of reality. A simple example is when a song or thought gets stuck in your head, or when scratching an itch, which makes it worse.

Predictive coding also explains unexpected reactions. Dr Howard Schubiner explains an experience he had years ago when his wife fed him a peach in the dark, but he was expecting an apple. Expecting an apple, his brain perceived the soft texture as rotten, and therefore as dangerous to eat. It ignored the sweetness to protect him from the perceived danger.

This theory is key to understanding chronic pain and symptoms. For instance, if you hurt your back and experience pain while bending over, your brain may continue to predict pain from the same movement long after the injury has healed. These danger signals, originally meant to protect you, can get “stuck,” causing persistent pain and discomfort.

This process is similar to habits or muscle memory. The brain can link specific cues, like bright lights or bending over, to pain. The more these connections are reinforced, the stronger the pain response becomes.

Fortunately, there are ways to rewire these neural pathways and alleviate pain over time.

How to determine if the pain or related symptoms are neuroplastic?

First, a structural issue must be ruled out (fractures, tumors, infection, or some other major disease). It is necessary to see your doctor to get this checked out. If there is no evidence of any structural issues, then it is likely due to neural circuits. It is important to note that all MRIs are abnormal. Many people who have “abnormal” MRIs do not experience pain and therefore abnormalities in the spine are not the cause of pain.

It is important to know that some pain is due to a structural issue and other pain is due to neural circuits in the brain. Chronic pain is often caused by neural circuits when there is no damage in the body. This is more common than you may think. The treatment for a structural issue is medical treatment. However, the treatment for neuroplastic symptoms is to reprogram your brain to unlearn the pain.

How to reverse chronic pain

Chronic pain and symptoms can significantly impact all aspects of life, from mood and mobility to social interactions and enjoyment. Traditionally, the medical community has seen chronic pain as unfixable, but this view is increasingly challenged. While some conditions, like advanced arthritis or cancer, may cause lifelong pain, many cases have no clear physical cause—raising the question of whether the brain might be involved.

Research shows that the brain’s danger signaling system can create pain even without physical injury, especially during prolonged stress. This can lead to chronic pain, as the brain “learns” pain through neural circuits, much like learning a skill. Triggers like lights, sounds, certain movements or even certain foods may activate these pain circuits, reinforcing the experience of pain over time.

To address chronic pain and chronic health issues, consider four key steps:

1. Determine the cause

Is it due to a medical issue or neural circuits?

2. Educate yourself

Understanding neural circuit pain provides hope and shifts the focus from coping to healing.

3. Reduce fear and calm the brain

This can include any practice that minimizes stress and deactivates the brain’s danger signals. It is common to want to “fix” or “get rid of” the pain, but worrying, fighting, or always focusing on the pain, can make the pain worse as these reactions only reinforce the danger alarm system triggering the neural circuits.

4. Address emotional and stressful issues

Unresolved stress may contribute to pain, so addressing these aspects can aid recovery.

 

By retraining the brain and addressing both physical and emotional factors, it’s completely possible to reverse chronic pain and regain quality of life.

Our comprehensive online treatment program was created to help you reverse pain and other health symptoms.