How to form new pathways free of pain?

Forming new brain pathways to heal pain involves a process called neuroplasticity. Here are some techniques that can help promote the formation of new pathways:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness practices can help rewire the brain's response to pain by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can exacerbate pain. Meditation techniques can also improve attentional control and emotional regulation, which can help manage pain perception.

2. Movement and Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity and targeted exercises can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Additionally, exercise promotes blood flow to the brain, supporting neuroplasticity and the formation of new neural pathways.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT techniques can help individuals reframe their thoughts and beliefs about pain, leading to changes in brain activity and perception. By addressing negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with pain, CBT can promote the development of healthier neural pathways.

4. Neurofeedback: Neurofeedback involves using real-time monitoring of brain activity to train individuals to regulate their brainwaves. By providing feedback on brain activity associated with pain perception, neurofeedback can help individuals learn to modulate their neural responses to pain and promote the formation of new, healthier pathways.

5. Social Support and Connection: Strong social connections and support systems can have a positive impact on pain perception and recovery. Engaging in meaningful social interactions can activate reward pathways in the brain, which can help alleviate pain and promote healing.

6. Learning and Novel Experiences: Engaging in activities that require learning new skills or experiences can stimulate the brain and promote neuroplasticity. Learning a new instrument, language, or hobby can help form new neural connections and distract from pain perception.

7. Positivity: Creating pathways towards the positive around us to activate the parasympathetic nervous system of rest and digest. Crowding out pathways towards our pain or symptoms.

Your coach will guide you though the process of incorporating these techniques into your day to day life to start making lasting changes to your pain and symptoms.

What does this process look like?

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is a therapeutic approach designed by several scientists and professionals in the field inlcuding Allan Gordan and John Sarno. This technique has been backed by scientific evidence to be effective in reducing or eliminating pain. By going through this process, we are not only changing the way we think, but we are changing chemical neuron reactions that physically change how our body processes pain. We now have a systematic approach to follow for this journey.

First we look at the EVIDENCE to see if your PRT would be a good approach for you. A coach conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand your pain history, medical background, emotional state, and any underlying psychological factors contributing to the pain experience. We can then determine if this process could be effective for you! After we have determined you are a good fit, we dive into PAIN EDUCATION. Patients are educated about the pathways in the brain, how our brain is plastic, how the nervous system has an impact on our pain and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and trauma can influence pain perception and intensity. The more we understand the science, the more we can believe in the process. The first month of working together can be one of the most challenging sections because we emphasize the importance of staying outcome independent and CHANGING OUR RELATIONSHIP with our pain or chronic symptoms. We begin introducing tools and practices and work on a plan to integrate them into your routine. Like learning anything new, its takes reps, dedication and resilience. After we have grasped the concepts of outcome independence, we take a deeper look at our THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORS connected to our pain. This section can be powerful and help clients move forward in a direction where the pain is not the center of attention and living life free of depression or anxiety. Finally we talk about incorporating the things that you love in life back into your routine. We analyze your values and goals in life that are important to you and challenge our fear thoughts by GETTING BACK TO WHAT WE LOVE.

Overall, Pain Reprocessing Therapy aims to empower individuals to take an active role in managing their pain and improve their overall quality of life by addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of chronic pain. Your coach will show you path and be there every step of the way to guide you through the process!