Neuroplastic Change is the New Pain Medication

Let me explain what I mean by ‘neuroplastic pain medication.’ There’s a picture I sent out to our audience not long ago. It looks like this:

It shows how a brain with chronic pain processes pain messages. The red lit-up areas you see are where the pain message is being processed in parts of the brain that aren’t normally affected by pain.

These parts of the brain include areas that deal with memory, emotion, logic – many of the higher functions that make us who we are.

This change does two things. First, it amplifies pain. When more of your brain is co-opted to produce the pain message, it’s stronger, and can be sustained for longer.

And second, important parts of your brain have been taken over by the function of processing chronic pain. This means they aren’t nearly as effective at doing their original duties.

That’s part of the reason why people with chronic pain find it harder to remember things, make decisions, and handle stress.

This also explains why many pain medications – which work wonderfully for pain caused by recent injuries – aren’t all the effective for chronic pain.

What treatment does make a difference to this picture?

Training your mind (and thereby your brain) to process pain messages differently. And slowly, using the neuroplasticity of the brain, you can return to normal function. That’s what I mean by neuroplastic pain medication.

It’s a gradual return to normal function of your brain and pain system.

This is what you’ll learn when you join the Life After Pain Course. The 12 week course takes you step by step through this. And you’ll also be part of a community of like-minded people who are walking the path back to full-bodied, pain-free living.

This is not a set-it-and-forget-it course. It’s not something you can just go through, understand, and then do nothing with. It takes work to train your brain to turn down pain.

But it’s worth it. I still use the techniques I developed while making my journey out of pain. Because even now I’m pain free, these practices make my life smoother, less stressful, and more enjoyable.