Our thoughts have a direct influence on our pain experience. That is because an area of the brain – the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) – which determines our emotional response to pain, is less reactive when we think positive, helpful coping thoughts.

Changing your thoughts is a challenge at times, but with chronic pain is essential to reducing your sensitized nervous system. If you need help with this perhaps make a booking with Greg. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one approach that can help to question unhelpful thoughts and use your thinking to work for you.

Here are some  examples

Unhelpful thought: My pain is always bad.

Helpful thought: Actually my pain varies – sometimes its better than others e.g. when I’m distracted or enjoying myself, or asleep

Unhelpful – My pain will never get better

Helpful – My pain can get better. It is possible. Some people have experienced big improvements in their pain.

Unhelpful – If it hurts, something bad must be happening in my body

Helpful – Most likely it is okay. The doctors have checked it out and it shows no pathology.

Unhelpful – I feel helpless

Helpful – If I focus on what I can do, I can still achieve goals.

Unhelpful – The scans show damage, and the doctors can’t fix it.

Helpful – Scans are not always a good indicator of pain. Some people with terrible looking scans e.g. of their back, experience no pain. See also why the Australian Ballet discourages its dancers from viewing scans of their back following injury.