Resources

Not sure where to start on your chronic pain recovery journey? Don’t worry, we have your back (or head, shoulders, knees, and toes). Our Resources page is your comprehensive guide, crafted to support you at any point in your healing journey. You might be  beginning to explore mindbody work and are seeking to understand whether your chronic pain and symptoms are neuroplastic. Maybe you have a long-held mindbody practice and you’re looking to deepen your understanding and find new insights. Wherever you are on your journey to healing, you've come to the right place.

Seeking Clarity

Let’s dive into the basics of understanding chronic pain and symptoms as they relate to both the body and the mind. Perfect for those new to the concept of the mindbody connection, this collection offers introductory insights, simple explanations, and the initial steps towards recognizing and addressing neuroplastic conditions.

What is pain?

It Starts in the Brain

ALL pain—no matter where you feel it in your body—is actually created by the brain, then felt in your body. 

Have you ever burned yourself on a hot stove before? Guess what- your brain created that! So, what’s really happening here? Well, nerves in your hands send a message to your brain, which processes this information and decides, “Wow, that’s dangerous!” and produces pain so you take your hand off of the stove to prevent any further harm. Essentially, when it comes to pain, your brain is the command center, sending out pain signals to where you feel it in your body.

Pain is Protective

While we may not welcome pain, it’s worth remembering that it is designed to protect us. Pain is our body’s built-in alarm system, designed to protect us from harm. Thinking back to the hot stove - it is pain that forces us to pull our hand away and avoid a bad burn. Nursing a pulled muscle? It is pain that tells you to take it easy, so your body can heal. 

However, this protective mechanism isn’t just for physical injuries; our brains can produce pain when sensing an emotional or psychological threat, too.  Our brain can’t differentiate very well between emotional threat and physical threat. All it sees is that your nervous system is on high-alert, so it wants to get you out of danger. It's like your brain's way of saying something needs our attention, whether it's a real injury or something stressing us out.

Neuroplastic Pain and Symptoms

Because pain does an amazing job at grabbing our attention, our brain learns quickly that it is an effective way to keep us out of harm’s way. Sometimes, our brains can keep sending pain signals long after our body has healed from injury or we are no longer in a stressful situation.[1] This is what we call neuroplastic pain or symptoms. Neuroplastic pain happens when the brain's pain processing pathways get a bit overprotective. This type of pain or symptom can become chronic—like that nagging back pain or that never-ending dizziness—and it often isn't directly linked to any structural injury or pathological cause.

Other ways you might hear this kind of pain described include: Psychogenic Pain, Psychosomatic Pain, Nociplastic Pain, Mind-Body Syndrome (MBS), Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS), Psychophysiologic Disorder (PPD), Functional Pain Syndrome, Central Sensitization, and Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD).[2-8]

These terms all tackle the idea that pain doesn't always come from physical injuries but from how our brain and body communicate, showing just how complex—and sometimes overly enthusiastic—our brains can be in responding to pain. This inseparable connection between the mind and body reflects our belief that they’re part of the same system. That’s why you’ll see “mindbody” written as a single word throughout our site and resources—it’s our way of honoring that connection.

Dr. Howard Schubiner, a renowned expert in the field of mindbody medicine, has created a playlist of videos that offers a friendly and accessible explanation of the  psychological and neurobiological aspects of pain. These videos offer insightful, practical information that can change the way you think about pain. Dive in and start exploring the science behind why we hurt and how we can potentially heal.

How do I know if my pain or symptoms are neuroplastic?

Figuring out whether the chronic pain or symptoms you're experiencing are neuroplastic can be complex and you should consult a medical professional to help you rule out structural and pathological causes. However, certain patterns or characteristics may indicate that what you’re experiencing is neuroplastic and, therefore, treatable through a mindbody approach.

You might have neuroplastic pain if:

Inconsistent and Shifting Pain: Your pain may change in intensity, move around, or come and go unexpectedly, without a corresponding physical injury. This includes symptoms that vary day-to-day and may be symmetrical across the body.

Triggered by Non-Physical Factors: Your symptoms might be initiated or worsened by emotional states, stress (even from positive events like getting married), weather conditions, or other non-physical triggers. Increased pain during periods of anxiety or stress and relief when calm can be indicative of neuroplastic pain.

Lack of Physical Evidence: You may have been referred from one medical specialist to another but tests such as scans and exams do not show any clear physical cause for your persistent pain.

Disproportionate Pain: The intensity or duration of your pain is out of proportion to any injury you might have experienced. Pain may have started with a structural injury but if your pain persists or comes back long after an initial injury (more than three months), this might suggest a neuroplastic condition, as acute pain typically resolves within this timeframe.

Complex Symptom Patterns: Experiencing multiple, diverse symptoms at the same time without any clear link between them structurally, such as back pain coupled with stomach issues and dizziness.

Nighttime Pain: Experiencing pain that wakes you up at night, which is a common yet poorly understood phenomenon in neuroplastic pain.

Delayed Pain Reaction: Pain that occurs after an activity or event, rather than immediately during or due to a specific injury, can indicate neuroplastic pain.

History of Varied Chronic Symptoms: A long history of different symptoms such as childhood stomach aches and recurrent headaches throughout your life. Some people suffering from neuroplastic pain look back on their childhood and can think of persistent symptoms they experienced back then, even if they don’t map directly to the symptoms they’re experiencing now.

Resistance to Conventional Treatments: Lack of response to traditional medical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or surgery.

Emotional and Personality Factors: Traits like perfectionism, people-pleasing, excessive worrying, or being overly critical of yourself, which are linked to a constantly alert nervous system, potentially leading to chronic pain.

Childhood Adversity: Experiences of early adversity are correlated with long-term health issues such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and some autoimmune diseases.

There’s no set number of criteria you have to meet in order to be diagnosed with neuroplastic pain. One of these descriptions might resonate with you, all of them, or none at all. This is why it’s important to talk to a medical professional and rule out any structural causes for your pain before proceeding with mindbody work.

Need an expert opinion?

Medical evaluations are suggested for those still feeling unsure about the source of their pain or symptoms.  To assist you in this journey, we've compiled a list of trusted medical professionals who are well-versed in neuroplastic pain and its treatments. These experts are familiar with the complexities of mindbody interactions and can provide a thorough assessment to help you determine the nature of your pain or symptoms.

  • Dr. Lilia Graue is a physician, psychotherapist, coach, and grief tender in Mexico City, where she's practiced, lectured, and mentored for over 20 years in both Spanish and English. Her approach is collaborative, trauma sensitive, healing centered, and mindfulness and compassion based. She brings together radical care approaches to foster healing, and mentors healthcare professionals in engaging critical and feminist perspectives to promote justice and equity in medicine and healthcare. In addition to her work in chronic pain recovery, Dr. Graue has extensive experience in the fields of eating disorders and medical family therapy. Dr. Graue is available for educational mindbody medicine consultation by referral.

  • Charlie Merrill is the owner of Merrill Performance in Boulder, CO where he's practiced, mentored, and taught manual therapy for over 20 years. In his practice, Charlie synthesizes traditional hands on care with a mind-body approach to treat a wide range of clients including some of the best runners, cyclists, rock climbers, and CrossFitters in the world. He now educates and mentors traditionally body oriented clinicians how to transition toward a more psychosocial approach to pain and function. He’s a content creator appearing on Podcasts, his channel on YouTube and is active on social media supporting people in pain. Charlie is actively involved in clinical research and consults in the technology space, currently with Lin.Health, a platform that aims to scale evidence based pain care.

  • Dr. Howard Schubiner is one of the leading voices in the mind-body world and is a strong advocate for and practitioner of mind-body methods for healing chronic pain, migraines, and other chronic health issues. He received his MD from Wayne State University and completed residencies in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; the Howard Schubiner Award given by the NMPRA to a resident in recognition for excellence in clinical care is named in his honor. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Schubiner is the author of three books: Unlearn Your Pain, Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression, and Hidden From View, which was co-written with Allan Abbass, MD. He has also authored more than 100 publications in scientific journals and books, and he lectures regionally, nationally, and internationally.

If you’ve read up to this point and are thinking, “Could I have both structural and neuroplastic pain?” The short answer is: Yes! And we can use a variety of strategies to help “turn down the volume” on symptoms caused by organic damage to the body while eliminating the neuroplastic ones through nervous system regulation, brain retraining, and other modalities commonly used to treat both structural and mindbody symptoms.

What is The Better Mind Center’s approach to treating neuroplastic conditions?

Our clinicians take a comprehensive and holistic approach to treating neuroplastic pain, focusing on understanding and addressing the underlying neural mechanisms that contribute to pain. Here are the key components of their treatment strategy:

Education

The first step involves educating clients about neuroplastic pain, helping them understand how the brain can learn to perceive pain even in the absence of physical injury. This understanding is crucial to empowering clients and reducing the fear and mystery surrounding their pain.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

This is a therapeutic approach that aims to change the brain's response to pain signals. It involves techniques designed to help the brain process and reinterpret the pain signals correctly, thereby reducing the pain experience.

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)

EAET helps clients address and work through emotional factors that may contribute to chronic pain. It encourages clients to identify, explore, and express their emotions, particularly those that have been suppressed or unacknowledged.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is used to address the psychological aspects of pain. It helps clients identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviors that can contribute to the persistence of pain.

Diverse Skillsets and Modalities

Each of our clinicians is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, offering a distinct set of skills and approaches that aren't all the same. This range of expertise allows each dedicated clinician to bring their unique perspective to their clients’ healing journey. By tailoring their methods to meet each client's specific needs, our clinicians can deliver personalized care that best addresses the circumstances and challenges of every individual seeking treatment.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

These techniques help to calm the nervous system and can be effective in reducing the intensity of pain. Mindfulness practices help clients become more aware of their body and the sensations they experience without immediately reacting, which can alter the way pain is perceived.

Ongoing Evaluation and Adaptation

As each individual's experience of pain is unique, The Better Mind Center likely emphasizes ongoing assessment and adaptation of treatment plans to fit the changing needs and progress of each client.

By using these diverse strategies, our clinicians address not just the symptoms but the root causes of neuroplastic pain, aiming for long-term relief and improved quality of life for their clients.

What conditions can The Better Mind Center help me overcome?

The Better Mind Center helps individuals reduce or completely overcome a variety of chronic symptoms. Our approach is especially effective for conditions where medical tests and imaging do not fully explain the pain or symptoms experienced. At The Better Mind Center, we have had success in reducing the symptoms experienced by people suffering from:

Chronic Pain Disorders:

  • Back Pain

  • Neck Pain

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Pelvic Pain

  • Vulvodynia

  • Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

  • Endometriosis

  • Pain with sex

  • Tendonitis

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

  • Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia and Other Neuralgias

  • Post-Exertional Malaise

  • Symptoms attributed to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

  • Burning Mouth Syndrome

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Vestibular Disorders:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

  • Ménière’s Disease (Endolymphatic Hydrops)

  • Vestibular Neuronitis

  • Labyrinthitis

Neurological & Systemic Conditions:

  • Long Covid

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

  • Post-Concussion Syndrome

Other Symptoms & Conditions:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Insomnia

  • Brain Fog

This comprehensive approach to treatment highlights our center's expertise in addressing a broad spectrum of symptoms and conditions, particularly those rooted in neuroplastic and psychophysiological processes. If you're dealing with any of these issues and haven't found relief through conventional treatments, The Better Mind Center may offer the path to recovery you've been seeking.

Resources

  1. Turk, Dennis C, and Hilary D Wilson. “Fear of pain as a prognostic factor in chronic pain: conceptual models, assessment, and treatment implications.” Current pain and headache reports vol. 14,2 (2010): 88-95. doi:10.1007/s11916-010-0094-x.

  2. Isagulyan ED, Makashova ES, Myasnikova LK, Sergeenko EV, Aslakhanova KS, Tomskiy AA, et al. “Psychogenic (nociplastic) pain: current state of diagnosis, treatment options, and potentials of neurosurgical management.” Prog Brain Res 2022; 272: 105-23.

  3. Tyrer, Stephen. "Psychosomatic pain." The British Journal of Psychiatry 188.1 (2006): 91-93.

  4. Kaplan, Chelsea M., Eoin Kelleher, Anushka Irani, Andrew Schrepf, Daniel J. Clauw, and Steven E. Harte. "Deciphering nociplastic pain: clinical features, risk factors and potential mechanisms." Nature Reviews Neurology OnlineFirst (2024): 1-17.

  5. Sarno, J. 1999. “The Mindbody Prescription.” Little Brown & Co, pp. 48-49

  6. Sarno, JE., 1991. Healing back pain. Warner Books. New York.

  7. Rashbaum, I. and Sarno, J., 2003. Psychosomatic concepts in chronic pain. “Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84(1), pp.S76-S80.

  8. Schechter, D. and Smith, A. 2005. Back Pain as a Distraction Pain Syndrome. “Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, [online] 2(1), pp.3-8.

MindBody Enrichment

For those familiar with mindbody syndrome principles, explore our recommended book list, learn about the Curable Health app, check out the “Like Mind, Like Body” podcast, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. All of these resources are designed to enrich your knowledge of the mindbody connection and introduce practical self-help strategies to support your journey of healing.

Essential and Transformative Book List

Here’s a handpicked list of books that tackle the fascinating link between your mind and body, especially when it comes to pain and health. Each book gives you a unique look at how your emotions, thoughts, and biology can all play a role in how you feel. They're packed with practical advice and in-depth insights into what really drives pain and stress, arming you with the knowledge and tactics you need to handle your symptoms better. Whether you’re looking to get a handle on your pain or just want to understand your body a bit better, these books are great tools for anyone looking to live a healthier, more balanced life. Dive in and start discovering new ways to approach pain management!

  • Discover “The Way Out” by Alan Gordon, a psychotherapist and founder of the Pain Psychology Center. This groundbreaking book introduces Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a mind-body protocol developed by Gordon after his own struggles with chronic pain. Based on the latest neuroscience, PRT targets misfiring pain circuits in the brain to help sufferers break free from chronic pain. Highlighted by a significant study from the University of Colorado-Boulder, the therapy has helped many achieve remarkable, lasting relief from pain. "The Way Out" offers a practical, step-by-step guide, combining accessible science with effective techniques to heal chronic pain.

  • “Mind Your Body” by Nicole Sachs offers a groundbreaking approach to healing chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, and other persistent conditions through the power of nervous system regulation. Drawing from Mindbody medicine, Sachs shares evidence-based practices that help uncover and address the deep psychological and emotional triggers fueling chronic symptoms. Through her transformative JournalSpeak method, readers learn to turn inward, process unresolved emotions, and achieve profound mental, emotional, and physical healing. For those who have felt let down by traditional medicine, this book provides a clear path from hopelessness to freedom.

  • Using cutting-edge research, this is the fourth edition that demonstrates that the underlying reason for much chronic pain is nerve sensitization and learned neural pathways, rather than actual tissue damage. Dr. Schubiner has used this new understanding to develop a unique program to actually reverse pain. He has also conducted research that shows the efficacy of this approach. By reading this book, you will be able to determine if you have this syndrome and how to overcome it. The program in this book gives you therapeutic writing exercises, online meditations, and everything else you need to unlearn your pain.

  • "Think Away Your Pain" by Dr. Schechter offers a revolutionary approach to alleviating chronic pain through the mind's power. This book explores how persistent, unexplained pain is not just a physical condition but also a brain-based one. Dr. Schechter combines scientific evidence, clinical experience, and psychological insight to teach the TMS healing method, which uses thoughts and emotions to rewire the brain and eliminate pain. Drawing on 25 years of successful patient outcomes, the book provides a systematic method to control pain using mental strategies. It's an insightful blend of medicine, psychology, and neuroscience that offers hope to those feeling limited and distressed by chronic pain.

  • Musculoskeletal pain disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with most doctors failing to recognize their underlying cause. In this acclaimed volume, Dr. Sarno reveals how many painful conditions-including most neck and back pain, migraine, repetitive stress injuries, whiplash, and tendonitises-are rooted in repressed emotions, and shows how they can be successfully treated without drugs, physical measures, or surgery.

  • In his book “When the Body Says No,” Dr. Gabor Maté examines the impact of chronic stress on health, critiquing modern medicine's failure to recognize its effects. Arguing from a biopsychosocial perspective, which integrates biological, psychological, and social factors, Maté explores how chronic, often subconscious stress manifests in physical disease. He emphasizes that suppression of negative emotions, rather than stress itself, poses the greatest risk to health. The book, which is grounded in Maté's extensive experience as a physician and addiction specialist, provides insights into recognizing and addressing unconscious stress to prevent related health issues.

  • Pain can be a big, unwieldy box that we struggle to carry all day. But what if we could put down this box, unpack it, and tackle the contents one by one? “Outsmart Your Pain” is Dr. Christiane Wolf’s radically clear, evidence-based guide to relieving chronic pain with mindfulness, complete with twenty easy guided meditations and self-compassion practices, including:

    rewriting the “pain story” you tell yourself

    practicing loving acceptance of your body as it is

    mindfully working through negative emotions

    strengthening your inner and outer support systems.

    By separating your pain from the stressful thoughts and troubled feelings that come with it, you can lay down your burden and live with joy.

The Curable app is your personal guide to managing chronic pain with the mindbody approach. It’s packed with audio lessons, meditations, journaling exercises, and videos that help you understand what’s happening in your body and how to retrain your brain for less pain.

We're excited to present "Like Mind, Like Body," a podcast series sponsored by Curable Health and now hosted by our Executive Director, Christie Uipi, LCSW. In each episode, Christie talks to leading experts to uncover practical advice and fresh perspectives on the mindbody connection. Whether it's about chronic pain research, personality traits that impact well-being, or confidence-boosting tools, these conversations will inspire you to make progress on your healing journey. Tune in to gain new strategies for holistic health!

Our channel is inspired by our mission to serve our clients and interested viewers by sharing insights, experiences, and innovations directly from our clinical team. Dive into one-on-one conversations between our clinicians as they discuss a wide range of topics related to their work with clients, from troubleshooting common techniques to personalizing approaches for more effective outcomes. Join us on this journey of learning, growth, and connection as we explore the depths of therapeutic practice and strive to enhance the well-being of those we serve. Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date with our latest content.

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