PATHWAY 2: The Brain's Role in Symptoms
Understanding how (and why) the brain generates real physical symptoms is an important part of recovery. Here, you will learn about the mindbody connection, predictive processes in the brain, and how learned neural circuits can produce debilitating symptoms even in the absence of ongoing injury or disease. This knowledge often helps reduce fear and builds confidence.
The videos and documentaries below introduce the mindbody approach — and the brain's role — in an accessible, evidence-based way. This information will likely challenge your understanding of how pain works. Most of us were never taught this, and most doctors are still operating under an older model.
Here's what the science is now telling us: pain does not always mean damage to the body part that hurts. As Dr. Howard Schubiner writes in Unlearn Your Pain: "Not all injuries cause pain. Not all pain is due to an injury. ALL injuries heal — and it is the brain that decides whether to turn the pain off or make it persistent."
The brain can also create non-pain symptoms in any part of the body if it perceives the need to protect (e.g. fatigue, dizziness, sensitivity to light or sound). The brain does not distinguish between physical and emotional injury or hurt, and mostly operates (and is triggered by) perceived threat outside of our conscious awareness.
What the brain predicts and learns through neural circuits, it can unlearn. That process is called neuroplasticity, and it's the foundation of everything you'll find here.
The research is growing. The outcomes are real. Stay curious and see what resonates. Without awareness, change can't occur.
All The Rage
A first-person exploration of the work of renowned physician Dr. John Sarno and his novel methods treating back pain. ALL THE RAGE examines the connection between emotions and health. Through interviews with Sarno, esteemed patients, and experts in the field, the film offers a profound rethink of how we approach our health care. Created by Michael Galinsky, a Rumur Production. (2017)
This Might Hurt
A documentary following Howard Schubiner, MD (ATNS Co-Founder, author of four books including Unlearn Your Pain, and co-developer of EAET (Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy) as he treats three chronic pain patients through their journey to healing and even curing neuroplastic symptoms previously thought to be incurable. A film by Kent Bassett and Marion Cunningham. (2019)
Pain Brain
A documentary following a landmark fMRI randomized controlled trial at the University of Colorado Boulder that challenged conventional views on chronic pain. 75% of chronic back pain patients fully recovered with Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), with brain changes documented during treatment. Executive Produced by David Clarke, MD, Directed by Mitch Dickman, Tim Kaminski & Laurie Polisky (2023).
Proceed to Pathway 3 - Identify Your Unique Drivers
SYMPTOM SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Although the underlying root causes and drivers of neuroplastic pain and symptoms do not differ from one symptom to the next, it is sometimes helpful to see information specific to the symptom you are currently experiencing. For that reason, I have included the following information.
