Pain can feel like a puzzle. When it lingers or worsens without a clear physical cause, it’s natural to wonder what’s really going on. One explanation that’s gaining attention is neuroplastic pain, a type of pain caused by the brain rather than structural damage or injury. Unlike pain from an injury or illness where pain is generated in response to physical damage in the body, neuroplastic pain happens when the brain perceives danger when there is not and sends pain signals to parts of the body. The good news? If your pain is neuroplastic, it can often be treated effectively with mind-body techniques.
Here are nine signs that your pain might be neuroplastic rather than structural or injury-based:
1. Your Pain Began During a Stressful Time
Stress isn’t just an emotional experience; it also affects the body. If your pain started during a particularly overwhelming period—like a breakup, work stress, or loss—it might be a clue that your nervous system is playing a role in the pain you’re experiencing.
2. Your Pain Started Without an Injury
Pain typically signals that something is physically wrong, like an injury or inflammation. But neuroplastic pain can begin without any apparent physical cause. If your pain appeared out of the blue with no clear injury, it may be a sign that it’s neuroplastic.
3. The Pain Sensations Are Inconsistent
One hallmark of neuroplastic pain is inconsistency.
• For example, you might feel pain when you get up for work but not on weekends.
• Or you might experience pain when standing one day but feel fine standing the next.
These patterns suggest that the pain may be influenced by your brain’s perception of certain situations, rather than a structural issue.
4. Your Pain Gets Worse When You’re Stressed Out
Do you notice that your pain flares up during stressful moments? Stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing tension in the body and amplifying pain signals. If your pain intensifies during stressful times, it could indicate neuroplastic pain.
5. The Pain Is Triggered by Non-Physical Factors
Another clue is if your pain is triggered by things that seem unrelated to your body, like:
• A specific smell (e.g., eggs cooking).
• A time of day (e.g., always in the afternoon).
These triggers point to the brain’s role in associating certain cues with pain, a common feature of neuroplastic pain.
6. You Experience Pain in Multiple Parts of the Body
If your pain isn’t localized and instead shows up in multiple areas—like your back, neck, and shoulders—it could be neuroplastic. This is particularly true if there’s no systemic illness, like an autoimmune disorder, to explain the widespread pain.
7. Your Pain Moves or Spreads
Does your pain feel like it “travels” to different parts of your body? For example, you may notice pain in your lower back one week and in your shoulders the next. This shifting sensation is a strong indicator that the nervous system, rather than a structural issue, is driving the pain.
8. The Pain Affects Both Sides of the Body
Neuroplastic pain often develops symmetrically, such as pain in both elbows, wrists, or knees. Structural injuries, by contrast, tend to affect only one side of the body. If your pain feels mirrored on both sides, it might point to a nervous system cause.
9. There’s a Delayed Experience of Pain After an Activity
Structural pain tends to show up immediately during or after an activity. But neuroplastic pain may be delayed. For instance, you might feel fine while exercising but notice back pain hours later. This delay happens because neuroplastic pain is influenced by the brain’s interpretation of events rather than a direct physical injury.
What Is Neuroplastic Pain?
Neuroplastic pain occurs when the brain misinterprets signals from the body as dangerous, even when there’s no physical damage. Stress, fear, and negative emotions can amplify these signals, creating a feedback loop of pain. Understanding that pain can come from the brain—not the body—opens the door to new ways of healing.
How Can Neuroplastic Pain Be Treated?
The exciting part about neuroplastic pain is that it’s highly treatable with mind-body approaches, including:
• Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): A structured approach to retrain the brain to interpret pain signals correctly.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: These help calm the nervous system and reduce pain intensity.
• Somatic and deep brain therapies: EMDR and Accelerated Resolution therapies using body awareness and movement are highly effective at processing out unexpressed emotion and trauma keeping the pain stuck.
If these signs resonate with you, you’re not alone. Many people with neuroplastic pain find significant relief through these methods.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Understanding the nature of your pain is the first step in reclaiming your life. If you suspect your pain might be neuroplastic, explore mind-body therapies or connect with a practitioner trained in approaches like Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Relief is possible, and it starts with understanding your body’s signals.
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Reference:
Gordon, Alan, LCSW, and Ziv, Alon. The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
