Unlocking the Brain's Potential for Treating Chronic Back Pain
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that discussing pain attributions and helping patients understand that pain is often "in the brain" can lead to a reduction in chronic back pain. The study examined the effectiveness of pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), which teaches individuals to perceive pain signals as less threatening. After receiving PRT, two-thirds of participants reported being pain-free or nearly pain-free, compared to only 20% of placebo controls. The study highlights the importance of addressing the brain's role in chronic pain and encourages healthcare providers to discuss the reasons behind patients' pain, including causes outside of biomedical factors.