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How Your Brain Creates Pain: Understanding the Pain-Brain Connection

by | Jan, 2025

Key Takeaways

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Pain is created by the brain and doesn’t always reflect physical injury.

Hi, I’m Dr Ben Purcell, the lead chiropractor and founder of Bathurst Chiropractic. One of the most fascinating (and misunderstood) aspects of pain is that it’s created by your brain. Understanding this connection helps us better manage conditions like chronic pain and improve overall health. In this article, I’ll explain how your brain creates pain, why it sometimes malfunctions, and how chiropractic care can help.

The Science Behind Pain

Pain: More Than a Sensation

Pain is like an overzealous security guard. Your brain uses it to protect you from harm, whether it’s a sprained ankle or a potential threat. But sometimes, that security guard gets a little too cautious.

 

How the Brain Interprets Threats

Think of your brain as the control room of a spaceship. It’s constantly processing data from your body and the environment. If it detects something that might harm you—like stepping on a sharp object—it sounds the alarm (pain). However, it can also sound the alarm even when the “threat” is minor or no longer there.

 

When Pain Works for You

Pain has its place. It’s the reason you instinctively pull your hand away from a hot stove. But what happens when the alarm system malfunctions, and pain sticks around longer than it should? That’s when we run into trouble.

 

When Pain Becomes the Problem

Chronic Pain and Neural Plasticity

Here’s where it gets tricky. Chronic pain isn’t just about the original injury—it’s about how your brain rewires itself over time. This phenomenon, called neural plasticity, means that your brain learns pain patterns and becomes overly sensitive to them.

 

Pain Without Injury

I’ve seen patients walk into my clinic with severe back pain, yet imaging tests show nothing wrong. This is because the brain can “remember” pain and keep replaying it like a broken record, even after the initial issue has resolved.

 

The Role of Chiropractic Care

Improving Brain-Body Communication

Here’s the good news: chiropractic care can help break that pain loop. At Bathurst Chiropractic, my adjustments focus on improving how your brain and body communicate. When movement in the spine improves, the brain gets clearer, healthier signals.

 

Scientific Backing

Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can reduce activity in the parts of the brain responsible for processing pain. This is why so many of my patients report feeling less pain—and more control—after a session.

 

Addressing the Source

Unlike painkillers that mask the problem, chiropractic care targets the underlying causes, such as restricted movement or poor posture. It’s like fixing the wiring in your house instead of just flipping the circuit breaker.

 

Practical Tips for Managing Pain

1. Retrain Your Brain

Your brain is like a muscle—it can be trained. Practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and focusing on positive thoughts can help shift your brain’s focus away from pain.

 

2. Stay Active

Movement is medicine. Gentle exercises, such as yoga or walking, can send positive signals to your brain and keep your body in good shape.

 

3. Seek Professional Help

If you’re dealing with persistent pain, don’t hesitate to reach out. A personalised chiropractic care plan can make a world of difference.

 

 

 

My Final Thoughts

Pain doesn’t have to control your life. By understanding how your brain creates pain and how chiropractic care improves brain-body communication, you can take charge of your well-being. At Bathurst Chiropractic, I’m here to help you every step of the way. Let’s work together to rewrite your pain story.

Bathurst Chiropractic services

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