Training the brain to reduce pain could be a promising approach for chronic pain.

According to G. Lorimer Moseley, PhD, an internationally-known professor of clinical neurosciences at University of South Australia and Neuroscience Research Australia, the brain stores maps of the body that are integrated with neurological systems that survey, regulate, and protect the integrity of the body physically and psychologically. These “brain maps” govern movement, sensation and perception.

There is growing evidence, according to Moseley, showing that disruptions of brain maps occur in people with chronic pain. The best evidence is from those with phantom limb pain and complex regional pain syndrome, but there is also data from chronic back pain.

Moseley’s research is focused on the role of the brain and mind in chronic and complex pain disorders. His team is exploring how the brain and its representation of the body changes when pain persists, how the mind influences physiological regulation of the body, how the changes in the brain and mind can be normalized with treatment.

Changing “Maps” of Pain in the Brain

“We’re learning that chronic pain is associated with disruption of brain maps of the body and of the space around the body. When the brain determines the location of a sensory event, it integrates the location of the event in the body with a map of space. Disruption of these processes might be contributing to the problem,” said Moseley. He added that it is possible for the body to be unharmed but the brain will respond by causing pain because it misinterpreted a benign stimulus as an attack. “We want to gradually train the brain to stop trying to protect body tissue that doesn’t need protecting.”

Moseley said the brain can “rewire” itself, a process called neuroplasticity. Often painful stimuli triggered by a broken bone or other trauma cause the brain to rewire and, as a result, the damage signal is never switched off after the initial body trauma is resolved. The result: chronic pain.

So if the brain is capable of changing to cause persistent pain, can it be changed back to normal to alleviate pain? “The brain is the focal point of the pain experience, but the plasticity phenomena can be harnessed to help alleviate pain,” Moseley said. “Our work shows that the complex neural connections in the brain… can be reconnected or manipulated through therapy that alters brain perceptions and produce pain relief.” 

May 27, 2012
The Healthy Mind Network

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The above story contains original content and/or information reprinted and editorially adapted by The Healthy Mind. Material is provided by the American Pain Society and EurekAlerts. 

Image Credit: Adam Crowe

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