Module 3: Pain Education
How do Pain Signals Get Turned On
Chronic pain is often maintained by the brain, not ongoing injury. Through neuroplasticity, pain can become a learned pattern, especially when repeated stress or injury leads to central sensitization—a state where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive. This creates a pain-fear cycle, where fear, worry, and focus on pain signal danger to the brain, which in turn increases pain. Recent neuroscience, including MRI studies, shows that pain is processed in brain areas related to emotion, memory, and perception—not just physical injury. The good news is that the brain can be retrained.
How do Pain Signals Get Turned Off
Pain Reprocessing Therapy helps people understand that chronic pain often comes from the brain being stuck in protection mode, not from damage in the body. By breaking the cycle of pain and fear, calming the nervous system, and forming new pathways of safety, people can experience real, lasting relief from pain and symptoms. You’re not broken, your system is just doing its best to protect you. With the right tools, Your brain can learn a new way.