Decoding Pain/Symptom Flares Part 1: 4 Main Causes of Flares
Jul 25, 2024
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Explore the intriguing relationship between pain and symptom flares in a captivating discussion. Uncover the four main causes behind these flare-ups, alongside insights into healing. Learn how your nervous system and brain can be retrained to alter pain perceptions. Discover the concept of the 'healing window,' which guides you in managing your limits during discomfort. Delve into the connection between anxiety and symptom flares, emphasizing awareness of triggers and emotional responses.
18:39
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Quick takeaways
Identifying conditioned responses is crucial for healing, as these associations can cause unexpected pain despite overall progress in recovery.
Understanding extinction bursts as signs of healing can help individuals reframe setbacks positively and manage their emotional responses effectively.
Deep dives
Understanding Pain and Symptom Flares
Pain and symptom flares often arise from conditioned responses, where the brain inaccurately associates specific conditions—such as movements or times of day—with pain or discomfort. This means that despite improvement in overall healing, the brain may still link certain activities with pain due to past experiences, leading to unexpected flares. It is essential for individuals to identify these conditioned responses as a part of their healing journey, recognizing that experiencing pain does not equate to a setback. Awareness of these triggers can empower individuals to challenge and move beyond their pain associations, fostering a more positive healing process.
The Concept of Extinction Bursts
Extinction bursts occur when previously reinforced pain behaviors begin to diminish, resulting in sudden increases in pain or symptoms. This apparent setback indicates that progress is being made, as the brain fights back against changes that have been ingrained over time. Understanding extinction bursts can help individuals reframe these experiences as positive signs of healing rather than negative setbacks. By recognizing the nature of these flares, individuals can better manage their expectations and emotional responses during their recovery journey.
Navigating the Healing Window
The concept of a healing window is crucial for understanding personal limits during recovery. Staying within this window involves tolerating uncomfortable sensations while avoiding overwhelming feelings of fear or pain that could lead to dysregulation. Individuals should focus on gradual exposures and smaller increments of activity to ensure they remain within their healing window. Recognizing personal boundaries and adjusting activities accordingly can significantly reduce the likelihood of symptom flares, promoting a more consistent and effective healing process.
What if understanding your pain or symptoms could actually be the key to healing? On this episode of the MindBodyCouple podcast, we tackle the often perplexing realm of pain and symptom flares, sharing insights that could transform your approach to chronic symptoms. We discuss the first part of our series on pain and symptom flares, focusing on the 4 main causes of pain or symptom flares.
This podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen.
Together we have a therapy agency called Pain Psychotherapy Canada. Learn more about our work on our website and book in for a free 20 minute consultation with one of our therapists: https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/
Our agency MBody Community provides an in depth course to support you in healing from chronic pain and symptoms: https://www.mbodycommunity.com/
We also post daily on instagram: @painpsychotherapy
Disclaimer: The information provided by Anne and Tanner on this podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, psychotherapy, or counselling. It you choose to utilize any of the education, strategies, or techniques in this podcast you are doing so at your own risk.
Education and techniques discussed in this Podcast originate from Polyvagal Theory, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy. Reference: Peter Levine, Deb Dana, Dr. Porges, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center, Alan Gordon, Dr. Schubiner, and Dr. Lumley.
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