How to Tell if Your Pain is Neuroplastic

Telling if your pain is neuroplastic—meaning it’s rooted in brain and nervous system changes rather than ongoing tissue damage—requires a mix of observation, self-reflection, and sometimes professional input. Here are some common signs that suggest your pain may be neuroplastic:

Signs Your Pain Might Be Neuroplastic

1. The pain moves or varies in intensity
   It may shift locations, come and go, or flare without a clear physical trigger.

2. No clear physical cause or injury
   Medical tests (X-rays, MRIs, blood work) often come back normal or don’t match the level of pain.

3. Pain began during or after a stressful time
   Emotional trauma, life changes, or chronic stress preceded the onset.

4. It gets worse with attention or fear
   Pain increases when you focus on it, worry about it, or avoid movement due to fear.

5. You’ve tried many treatments with little success
   Especially when structurally-focused treatments (e.g., surgery, physical therapy) haven’t helped long-term.

6. Pain improves with education or relaxation
   Understanding neuroplastic pain (like through Pain Reprocessing Therapy or similar approaches) leads to relief.

7. Sleep and mood are affected
   Chronic neuroplastic pain often comes with anxiety, depression, or sleep issues—not because they cause the pain, but because the brain is sensitized.

8. “Symptom hunting” becomes a habit
   You become hyper-aware of sensations, always checking your body for signs of danger.

What To Do If You Suspect Neuroplastic Pain

• Learn about the brain’s role in pain (books like The Way Out by Alan Gordon or Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno).

• Try journaling or expressive writing to explore emotional links to pain.

• Work with a coach or therapist trained in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Somatic Tracking, or related methods.

• Practice safe movement and gradually expose yourself to feared activities.