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It’s All in Your Head: The Neurological Connection of Brain to Pain (By Marissa Thomson, BScHK)1/30/2019 Pain is one of the most common medical complaints that drives individuals to seek professional assistance. Although searching for a cause is a priority, when one can’t be identified it is not uncommon for doctors to say “it’s all in your head.” When excruciating pain is labelled as mental fabrication it can leave a person feeling misunderstood, isolated, hopeless and full of frustration. If you or anyone you know has encountered this situation then read on because there is more to your pain than imagination! Lorimer Moseley, a professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of South Australia, has developed a theory to explain the connections between pain, the mind’s potential to change it. When thinking about this theory it’s important to take a look at the basic physiological pathway of pain sensation (see figure): Nociceptors (pain receptors) → Spinal Cord → Brain (perception occurs) → Physical response Moseley’s theory proposes that the experience of pain depends on the neural connections made during an individual’s previous experiences. When an event occurs, the nociceptors (sensory nerve endings that perceive pain) relay the information to the brain where the determination of danger or safety is decided. If the brain deems a situation as ‘safe’ there will be no experience of pain. However, when the brain has had a previous history of trauma, danger, or harm it will release ‘danger’ signal often resulting in a physical sensation of pain. Moseley’s view is that the experience of pain is dependent on whether the brain thinks danger exists or not. The experience of pain can become more severe if it has been persistent over a longer period of time. Moseley’s thought is that although the initial sensation is sent to one region of the brain, with extended duration the signal may spread to adjacent areas. The increase in neural stimulation can lead to the brain believing the body’s condition is worsening or that the pain has enveloped additional body parts. In actuality the body may be physically sound and the pain is more a product of what the brain thinks is occurring. This would suggest that pain originating in the mind doesn’t not exist, but simply can’t be explained through physical tests. Instead, these types of clinical scenarios require the unpacking of psychological traumas and a rerouting of neural circuits. There are many other theories regarding the connection of body and mind that have been supported by scientific research. One in particular to note is the significant improvements seen in fibromyalgia patients with the use of ‘Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy’ (EAET) which involves the targeting of mental and emotional experiences, both positive and negative. The process allows individuals to work through their past and towards rewiring thought patterns and neural pathways. One study found that EAET alleviates symptoms such as globalized pain, physical dysfunction, anxiety, stress, and improves overall life satisfaction. Understanding that there is a connection between the body and mind opens up many additional approaches to pain management, and holds potential in reducing the burden of chronic pain. If you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” take it to heart and talk to a naturopathic doctor or other healthcare provider about addressing your pain through your brain.
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