This article is intended to better describe and simplify how your nervous system can create chronic pain, evolve into depression symptoms and offer tips to better manage chronic pain.
What is Pain?
Pain is "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that is associated with actual or potential tissue damage", and is subjectively described by an individual.
An objective measurement can be described as a "limbic" nervous system response. The Limbic Nervous System is a group of anatomical places in the brain that cause emotional change, as well as physical responses - such as increased heart rate and/or blood pressure.
Why is the Nervous System Important?
It is important to understand that the nervous system runs the entire body. We can often times compare the nervous system to a computer.
When thinking about nerves, we can relate them to the cords that hook up to the computer.
The computer cable's job is to bring information in and out of the computer.
The brain can be comparable to the computer itself. The computer quickly analyzes, interprets, calculates information, then gives information to the cords to carry out a goal.
What is different about brains and computers, is the brain can rearrange its cords (nerves) to help us better adapt to our environment. For example, we exercise to become faster and better activate the part of our brain that helps our muscle respond faster.
This "re-wiring" can be very important for our survival and is called "neuroplasticity".
Why is Neuroplasticity Important?
The concept of neuroplasticity is important, because it may give us the answer to the "why is this happening to me?", but also "how can I prevent and/or better manage?" Some simple concepts of neuroplasticity is "if you don't use it, you lose it" and also, "if you use it, you get more of it".
Another simplified concept is nerves are generally tightly bundled with other nerves or "friends". In many cases, you "can't effect one without the other".
Why is this Happening?
In general, people who have chronic physical pain have experienced a significant injury - many times a vehicular accident. In the accident, let's say the person experiences many fractures that caused massive amounts of pain (limbic nervous system response). Because it was an accident with multiple injuries, there is A LOT of STRONG information/stimulation going to the brain.
Let's apply the "if you use it, it grows" concept. This injury is bringing inappropriate stimulation into the brain, causing pain. When you go to the Emergency Room, Physicians want to get your pain under control as quickly as possible because they don't want to "grow" the problem of long term effects.
Later, as you are recovering with continued pain, many times therapy takes place. Let's apply the "can't effect one, without the other". Even though you are doing what you can with rehab, because the stimulation of pain was so intense at the time of the accident, the cords (nerves) grabbed onto the close "friend". Most of the time Therapy Intervention is positive stimulation for healing, but in this
case, because the bad stimulation attached to the "friend" or was so intense the nerves attached to good nerves; bad stimulation is brought to the brain instead of good stimulation. Almost as if you have been "re-wired." Therefore, the more you do the good things, because you can't effect one without the other, you are actually continuing to "grow" the bad.
This creates an inappropriate pain experience called "Centralized Pain". It is called centralized pain, because the problem is in the Central Nervous System, which includes the Brain and Brain Stem. These areas of the nervous system are very difficult to change - many times leaving people on pain medications for the rest of their lives. The Centralization of pain also leads to over stimulation of the body, which affects several organ systems and leads to Depressive Symptoms and Behaviors.
These ideas can be applied to many other medical issues which include, gut, musculoskeletal, stress and other dysfunctions which can lead to "Centralized Pain" and other forms of Chronic Pain.
What can I do to minimize my pain and depression?
Although we are going to give some ideas as to what may help with symptoms of chronic pain, it is important to keep in mind you should always talk with your medical professional to ensure the interventions discussed are appropriate and safe.
Aroma Therapy
When thinking about Chronic Pain, Aroma Therapy may be a great adjunct to care. The reason for this is because smell is the only part of the nervous system that will bypass the Thalamus, or the part of the brain that effects the Limbic System. In other words, if we can bypass the place creating "central pain", then we can hopefully break the inappropriate chain. Remember - if you don't use it, you lose it.
A good strategy may be to find something that smells soothing to you, and keep smelling for a few minutes, 6-12 times per day. Remember - "If you use it, you'll get more of it". If you experience pain on one side of your body, it may be beneficial to only breath the aroma into the nostril that is on the same side of the body that experiences pain.
Chiropractic
If pain seems to favor one side more than another, Chiropractic can be a great adjunct to a treatment plan to minimize the use of medications and dampen the experience of Chronic Pain. The idea is, if you increase stimulation on one side of the brain more than the other, this may better decrease metabolic stimulation of inappropriate nerves, taking resources away from bad nerves and bringing them to good nerves. Falling into the category of "if you don't use it, you lose it."
Psychological Therapy
We have talked extensively how Mental Health is a very complex issue, and adding pain to it only adds to complications. However, there is good evidence that staying positive and having someone to talk to is a great way minimize and manage the pain. Believe it or not, talking with someone, good breathing techniques and actively thinking of "positive routes"from your brain to the area of injury can be an active "bypass" of the "Central Pain". This could be a strategy to actually create a new pathway, categorizing the therapy as "If you use it, you'll get more of it".
If you have any questions about Pain or Depression, feel free to reach out to us so we can provide the resources you need to thrive!
References/More information:
Limbic System: https://www.braininjury-explanation.com/consequences/impact-by-brain-area/limbic-system
Pain Definitions: Scientific Issues of Pain and Distress
The Link between Depression and Chronic Pain: Neural Mechanisms in the Brain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5494581/
Cognitive and Emotional Control of Pain and its disruption in Chronic Pain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4465351/
Stenzel Chiropractic Clinic Information:
Mapleton Office: (507) 524-4000
www.stenzelchiropracticclinic.com
support@stenzelchiropracticclinic.com
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