Part 1: How do I know if my pain or symptoms are neuroplastic?

How do you know when your chronic pain/symptoms are neuroplastic rather than structural? This question plagues countless people, who often find themselves caught between conflicting medical opinions, inconclusive test results, and treatments that provide only temporary relief.

In this enlightening first installment of a two-part series, Tanner Murtaugh and Anne Hampson break down the concrete criteria that help identify neuroplastic pain and symptoms. They share that neuroplastic pain/symptoms occur when your brain and nervous system remain stuck in a state of danger despite no structural damage in your body - and importantly, you don't need to meet all criteria to benefit from a neuroplastic approach.

The hosts walk through the first category of evidence: when pain doesn't make physical sense. From symptoms that originate during stressful times to pain that worsens with difficult emotions, from inconsistent symptom patterns to pain that spreads and migrates through the body - these are all powerful clues pointing toward neuroplastic mechanisms. They explain why triggers disconnected from the body (like weather or certain environments), delayed onset pain, and symptoms without injury are particularly telling.

Tanner and Anne weave personal experiences throughout, sharing how Tanner's own pain coincided with major life transitions, and how they've observed these patterns across hundreds of clients. They offer reassurance that while identifying neuroplastic components can feel overwhelming, approaching the assessment with curiosity rather than fear is key.

This episode provides invaluable guidance if you've tried numerous treatments without lasting improvement or received diagnoses that don't fully explain your symptoms. Listen now to gain clarity and hope as you begin unraveling whether your persistent pain/symptoms might be treatable through neuroplastic approaches.

Ready to explore how your brain might be generating your symptoms? Tune in next week when they tackle the second category: sensitization factors that make your nervous system more susceptible to neuroplastic pain.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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