At northlondonosteopaths Alan Nevies and his colleagues spend most of their time helping patients suffering from pain in various parts of the anatomy, most often in the back. So the article in the Times in August 2024 which queried “Can you train your brain to beat chronic pain?” was of great interest. A recent conference in Amsterdam of more than 5,000 pain professionals from around the world met to discuss what has been described a global epidemic of chronic pain. Australian neuroscientist Lorimer Mosely learnt the hard way after suffering from almost a decade of chronic pain because of a series of football injuries. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts more than 12 weeks or beyond the recovery time for any condition or injury. He believes that pain is not just a sensory signal indicating physical damage but also a protective one. If the brain perceives there is a greater risk of pain then it makes more pain. Many lab studies have shown this perception of risk can be exaggerated or distorted causing the pain system to remain activated and highly sensitised. Moseley maintains that challenging your beliefs about your condition, being willing to pursue treatment other than medication or surgery and expanding your existing movement thresholds can help most people to lead a pain free life. The following is what he believes can help.

First, reframe the way you think about back pain. Most people with chronic back pain believe their back is more fragile than it really is. This causes them to feel tense and anxious and inhibits their movements. He suggests consulting a website called flippinpain.co.uk and also enlisting your GP and physio to help with encouraging non drug and surgical ways of pain management.

Second, move more. Provided there is no physiological reason for discomfort, any kind of movement is a start. The NHS website advises that chronic pain sufferers try to be active every day instead of only on the good days.

Third, stay on top of your sleep cycle and eat a wide variety of healthy foods. The benefits of these basic lifestyle habits will also help someone manage their pain more effectively.

Fourth, notice how stress affects your pain levels. Stress weakens the immune system making you more susceptible to illness which can send a hyper sensitive pain system into overdrive.

Fifth, address your mental health. Chronic pain sufferers are more likely to become severely depressed which will often make any physical pain they are experiencing worse.

Moseley ultimately suggests each patient needs to take charge of their recovery and to focus on changing how the brain sees pain rather than numbing discomfort.

Alan Nevies and his colleagues at northlondonosteopaths are happy to discuss these ideas and help in any practical way possible.

Have a pain free and happy 2025!