Pain Really Is All In Your Head. Emotion Controls Intensity - NPR http://www.npr.org/blogs...
Alix May,
Michael W. May,
Iván Abrego,
Stephen Mack,
Harold Cabezas,
Jenny H.,
Stephan Planken,
Heather,
Spidra Webster,
Maitani,
Jennifer Dittrich,
and
John (bird whisperer)
liked this
Sure, emotional states definitely modulate pain sensation, but it's still important to remember that neuropathic and psychiatric pain are real physical pain, and that there isn't really a mind/body dichotomy.
- Victor Ganata
I think it's possible to get too reductive on this. Pain's all in our head, yes. So's hunger signals, but if you don't eat you eventually die. Just because it's in our head, it's still at some level "real."
- Stephen Mack
I'd hope that this would lead to some better pain treatments, and better patient interactions - knowing that someone's emotional state can make a large difference in the amount of pain that they feel means that it isn't something that can be ignored or brushed aside.
- Jennifer Dittrich
"That suggests that at least some people can teach their brains how to filter out things like chronic pain, perhaps through meditation, Jones says." I hate this langauge. One doesn't "filter out" chronic pain. I've used meditation and relaxation techniques for years to/mitigate/ chronic pain. It doesn't all get blocked, though. According to what is said earlier in the piece, the non emotional part of the pain still is there. And keeping calm and relaxed all the time in of itself is exhausting and impossible. Add in the innate physical and emotional tolls of chronic pain, it is a difficult cycle to fight.
- Michael W. May