Health Report Pain isn't all in your head — but psychotherapy can help
Nov 7, 2025
Michael Nicholas, a clinical psychologist and pain management expert, shares insights on the complexities of chronic pain. He discusses how psychological factors shape pain experiences and effective treatments like CBT and pacing techniques. Pavitha Parathan, a postdoctoral researcher, delves into the impact of sensory neuropeptides on gastrointestinal cancer growth. She highlights how targeting therapies used for migraines could potentially be repurposed to combat cancer. Their conversation reveals the intricate connections between mental health, pain management, and cancer research.
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Pain Is Sensation Plus Emotion
- Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, not a single objective thing.
- The brain actively interprets pain, so it cannot be found on scans.
Scans Don’t Predict Pain Severity
- Tissue damage and pain intensity often do not correlate closely.
- The brain's interpretation, memories and context shape how much pain matters to someone.
Start With A Person-Centred Assessment
- Assess individual beliefs, worries and the impact of pain before treating it.
- Explain pain clearly so patients can make sense of it and join a management plan.