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Research has shown that the vast majority of chronic pain is neuroplastic - neuro-: having to do with the brain and nervous system; -plastic: changeable. So by working with your nervous system we can change how your brain interprets signals it gets from the body. And that way we can eliminate your pain!
There are numerous studies that demonstrate that changing how you think about your pain or other symptoms can significantly reduce or even eliminate them. One study showed that, in the 2/3 of the subjects who became essentially pain-free, there were observable changes in he brain, using fMRI brain scans!
These methods have been proven effective to treat a wide variety of conditions, including back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, long-covid, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, functional neurological disorders, migraines, and more. Click here for an extensive bibliography from the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS).
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First, we have to rule out medical or structural causes of your symptoms. I may ask you to share your medical records, and consult with your doctors.
After talking with you to learn about your symptoms. we’ll examine what might have triggered them that is making your brain misinterpret signals it’s getting from your body. We will look at aspects such as the “fear-pain” cycle which perpetuates the pain. I may teach you techniques such as somatic tracking. or ways you might calm your nervous system.
We might also look at some of your personal and family history. There is a high correlation between bad childhood experiences and chronic pain and other medical problems as an adult.
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Yes! Here are some great videos easily available online. I suggest starting with these two, which are great introductions:
A 13-minute episode from the 20/20 News Magazine.
A 7-minute video on “Pain Science Paradigm Shift.”
There are two full-length documentaries I highly recommend:
“All The Rage,” which focuses on Dr. John Sarno (who developed the approach that started these ideas) and his theories, using the case of the filmmaker himself, and interviews with experts and celebrities.
“This Might Hurt,” which follows a cohort of patients in Dr. Howard Schubiner’s group-based treatment program, which is a close variant of Dr. Sarno’s approach.
There’s a shorter., one-hour film that explains Pain Reprocessing Therapy that I also recommend, called “Pain Brain.”
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There are quite a few excellent books that people find extremely helpful. Many of these are available as audiobooks or in kindle editions.
The books by Dr. John Sarno are great places to start:
Other authors have expanded and modified Dr. Sarno’s work. Here is a sampling, in no particular order:
The Way Out, by Alan Gordon - explains Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Unlearn Your Pain, by Howard Schubiner - a self-help workbook
They Can’t Find Anything Wrong, by David Clarke - focuses mainly on GI symptoms
Back In Control, by David Hanscom - a spine surgeon’s roadmap out of chronic pain
Crushing Doubt, by Dan Ratner - helps combat the doubt many people have which interferes with recovery
The Mind-Body Workbook, vol 1, and vol 2, by David Schechter (and Justin Barker for vol 2) - another self-help workbook
Pathways to Pain Relief, by Frances Sommer Anderson and Eric Sherman - focuses on the psychological aspects
Mind Your Body, by Nicole Sachs - guides you through a journaling practice which many people find very helpful
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There are two great websites which each have a wealth of resources:
symptomatic.me - the website o the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms
tmswiki.org - a crowd-developed website with all kinds of self-help resources
And here are two really good smartphone apps which are great ways to work on your own.
Digestible (for IBS)