
Neurofeedback for Chronic Pain
On a basic level, pain is divided into two parts; the first involves the sensory nerves sending a message from the injured area that there is damage and creating a pain response. This is a positive thing, as it lets us know our body is damaged. The second is to do with how the brain interprets those signals.
The problem with chronic pain is that those signals can be increased by the brain, leading to the person experiencing more pain than is appropriate. The key areas of the brain that relate to pain are called the insular cortex (C3, C4) and the anterior cingulate cortex.
Chronic pain can come from several sources, with injuries, and chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia being the most common.
Action Plan
Once a full assessment has been done, usually it will indicate that the very fast and very slow frequencies (high beta and theta) are too active, and the ‘rest and digest’ frequencies are too low (high alpha, and sensory motor rhythm) in the area of the insular cortex.
I use neurofeedback to train brain areas to lower the high beta and theta and increase the high alpha, and sensory motor rhythm frequencies; this will usually effectively lower the chronic pain levels.
The problem with chronic pain is that those signals can be increased by the brain, leading to the person experiencing more pain than is appropriate.
Counselling for Chronic pain
Helping people find their pace into looking at this is important, as there are many elements and it can feel overwhelming. Pain is the obvious element, but what is also linked to this is the cause of the pain, as well as the effects of the pain and condition, on self-image, physical capacity, lifestyle, and relationships.
The chronic pain’s origin can also be important, and whether the person feels it was their fault, someone else’s, or just bad luck. All the while the chronic pain is lowering the ability to relax.
Action Plan
I use Thought Field Therapy (TFT) to help release the bodily held trauma in a safe regulated way, enabling the body to relax more. This combined with breathing exercises helps the person learn to deeply relax. This deepening relaxation supports the person’s ability to reflect, feel, understand, and think about how they want to live their life going forward.