Effective Chronic Pain Treatment Starts With The Brain

September 28, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that targeting the brain and a person’s attitudes toward pain may be an effective method for treating chronic pain conditions.

More specifically, the study sought to influence a person’s pain attributions – which are their beliefs about the underlying causes of pain – to help reduce pain severity. For the study, a group of individuals with chronic pain underwent pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), which is a form of treatment that teaches people to perceive pain signals sent to the brain as less threatening. Researchers found that two thirds of people treated with PRT reported being pain-free or nearly pain-free after treatment. Only 20 percent of people in the placebo group said the same.

“Our study shows that discussing pain attributions with patients and helping them understand that pain is often ‘in the brain’ can help reduce it,”said the study’s first author Yoni Ashar, Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. “This study is critically important because patients’ pain attributions are often inaccurate. We found that very few people believed their brains had anything to do with their pain. This can be unhelpful and hurtful when it comes to planning for recovery since pain attributions guide major treatment decisions, such as whether to get surgery or psychological treatment.”

Pain And The Brain

Researchers concluded by saying that it is important for chronic pain patients to really try to better understand their pain and how their brain is processing pain signals. Prior to PRT treatment, only 10 percent of participants viewed their chronic pain issue as something that was due to a mind or brain process. After PRT therapy, that number increased to 51 percent. The study found that the more participants shifted to viewing their pain as due to mind or brain processes, the greater the reduction in reported chronic back pain intensity.

“These results show that shifting perspectives about the brain’s role in chronic pain can allow patients to experience better results and outcomes,” Ashar said.

This study touches on something we oftentimes convey with our patients, which is that pain isn’t just a physical issue. The brain-pain connection is real, and we oftentimes need to take a step back and reframe how we think about our pain condition in order to give ourselves the best chance to overcome it. It’s easier said than done, but it can be done.

If you want to learn more about your pain condition and the power of reframing how you think about pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Could Psychedelics Help Treat Chronic Pain?

September 21, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A new study published in the European Journal of Pain found that both macro- and microdoses of classic psychedelics like LSD, DMT, mescaline and psilocybin could help provide better chronic pain relief than some conventional treatments.

For the study, researchers focused on how psychedelics could help treat symptoms associated with five major chronic pain conditions:

Fibromyalgia
Arthritis
Migraines
Tension headaches
Sciatica

170 participants who met a select criteria were chosen for the study and divided into groups based on their underlying pain issue. From there, participants were given different psychedelics and varying dosages to see how their pain and their mood was impacted after taking the drug.

Psychedelic Pain Study

Expect for sciatica, volunteers reported that psychedelics led to better pain relief than conventional pain medication for all examined conditions both on dosage day as well as 1-3 days afterwards. When looking more closely at the data, researchers found that full doses of psychedelics performed better than conventional medications for the aforementioned conditions, while microdoses led to significantly better pain relief than conventional medications for migraines and offered comparable relief for fibromyalgia, arthritis and tension headaches. Psilocybin and LSD were the most common drugs administered across the 170 patients.

“The present study suggests that psychedelics may hold value in the treatment of certain CP conditions,” researchers wrote. “More specifically, participants reported that full doses seem to achieve better perceived results in pain relief than microdosing while microdosing’s effectiveness seems comparable to that of conventional medication according to survey participants. Future research should focus on building clinical studies that would allow for controlling doses, dosing schedules and the monitoring of both biological and psychological measures to paint a clearer picture of the causal mechanisms that may lead to analgesic effects.”

Obviously a wide variety of pain conditions, psychedelics and dosages were used on a relatively small sample size, and researchers even acknowledged that future studies with more controlled variables are needed to really parse out what drugs could be most effective for different conditions. That said, we’re always optimistic when researchers are looking for new ways to tackle the ever-present problem of chronic pain, so we hope that future researchers can secure funds to further this research. While psychedelics may not be a viable treatment option at the moment, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it may be an effective option for numerous patients down the road. We’ll keep our eyes on any future studies that attempt to improve on this knowledge.

For now, if you’re looking for a more standard and effective way to treat your chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Fighting Back Against Chronic Fatigue

September 15, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

One common side effect of fighting a near-constant battle with chronic pain is that fact that it oftentimes leaves you feeling tired and fatigued. Even if you don’t have a chronic pain condition, there are a number of other health issues like arthritis or long COVID that can leave you feeling tired and lethargic throughout the day. In today’s blog, we share some tips for fighting back against chronic fatigue so that you can have more energy to get through the day.

Tips For Countering Chronic Fatigue

We want to remind you that this is just general advice, and that you should seek out a specialist who can conduct a physical exam and chart review in order to set you up with an individualized treatment plan. Odds are some of their recommendations will be on this list, but know that the best advice comes from a professional who can evaluate you in person.

1. Exercise – We know that this is way easier said than done, and the last thing you may want to do if you’re feeling tired is exert more energy, but exercise can help you feel more energized throughout the day. Exercise gets our heart rate up and pushes healthy oxygenated blood through our bodies, ensuring key structures have easier access to essential nutrients. It doesn’t have to be a crazy intense workout, as even 15-20 minutes of brisk walking can give you the energy you need to finish the day strong.

2. Develop A Regular Sleep Pattern – Many patients that we talk to who say they are chronically fatigued say that they have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. When we dig deeper, we find that they typically have some unhealthy habits that may be making sleep hard to come by. Make your room as dark as possible and free of distractions and light sources like televisions or cell phones. Perhaps most importantly, get in the habit of going to bed and waking up around the same time each day, as this will make it easier for your body to develop a healthy circadian rhythm.

3. Mind Your Food And Liquid Intake – Sometimes our food choices can play a big role in how we feel throughout the day. If we’re eating a lot of processed foods and refined sugars, we can experience a short burst of energy followed by a crash. The same goes for stimulants like caffeine. Work to decrease your reliance on these substances, and you may feel more refreshed and even keeled throughout the day.

4. Destress – Stress can weigh heavy on your mind, and over time this can be physically exhausting. Try to find ways to destress your life or look for positive outlets to channel your emotions when you’re feeling stressed. Activities like yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises can help alleviate stress that can be contributing to your fatigue.

5. Limit Your Screen Time – Finally, have you ever found that you are tired after an extended scrolling session on your phone? Prolonged exposure to television screens and cell phones can leave your eyes feeling tired and fatigued, and it can even contribute to headaches. All of this can contribute to a general sense of fatigue, so work to cut down on your daily screen time.

Keep these tips in mind, and if you nee help overcoming a chronic condition like pain or fatigue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

5 Tips For Supporting A Loved On With Chronic Pain

September 7, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain is an incredibly complex and highly individualized health condition, and because of this, it can be hard to know how to support someone who is battling a pain issue. You want to be there for your loved one, but how can you give them the support they need?

We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but in today’s blog, we share some tips for how you can support a loved one during their battle with chronic pain.

Supporting Someone Who Has Chronic Pain

There’s no perfect playbook for supporting someone who is working to overcome a chronic pain condition, but as a provider who treats a variety of pain issues, we have a first-hand understanding of what many pain patients are looking for in terms of support. Here are some things you can do to support a loved one with chronic pain.

1. Be Patient – Chronic pain can disrupt even the best laid plans. Instead of getting frustrated or upset at a chronic pain-related problem, strive to have grace and patience with your loved one. It’s not their fault, and they do not wish to be in this position, so don’t take out any anger or disappointment on them. They are probably just as upset if not more at the situation, so be patient with them.

2. Be Adaptable – Your loved one has to adjust their life based on their chronic pain condition and whether or not they’re dealing with a flare up, and you should try to be adaptable too. If they are having a good day and want to grab lunch on a moment’s notice, try to work them into your schedule. If a pain issue changes your plans for a night out on the town, consider offering to bring over dinner or watch a movie from the comfort of the couch. Your loved one will appreciate your flexibility.

3. Be A Source Of Positivity – Chronic pain can be a lot of doom and gloom, so it’s imperative that you are a source of positivity for your loved one. Try to look on the bright side of things and steer the conversation away from the negative when possible. Let them know that the progress they are making or the effort they are putting in isn’t going unnoticed!

4. Just Be There – Sometimes you don’t need to try and solve a problem or focus on the bright side of things. Sometimes all you need to do is be there for someone. Respond to that text message, let them vent to you on the phone or just be present when you are with them. You don’t need to try and solve every problem for them, sometimes you just need to be there for them.

5. Encourage Activity – Chronic pain conditions respond better to activity and exercise than to a sedentary lifestyle, so try to encourage activity when possible. Offer to go for a walk with your friend or keep on them about performing their physical therapy exercises. Movement and exercise will help make muscles stronger and improve overall physical function, which is essential when working to overcome a chronic pain condition.

Your loved one is lucky to have you by their side during their journey with chronic pain, and it’s wonderful that you are looking for ways to better support them. If you want any more tips or have questions about a different pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Why Early Treatment Is Important For Chronic Pain Patients

August 31, 2023 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Early intervention is key for almost all medical conditions, but it’s even more important for certain issues. While cancer may be the most obvious condition that benefits from early treatment, so too does chronic pain. In today’s blog, we explain why early treatment can be so beneficial for patients dealing with chronic pain.

Chronic Pain And Early Intervention

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, don’t just grit your teeth and hope that the condition gets better on its own. Instead, connect with a pain specialist like Dr. Cohn sooner rather than later. Here’s why it’s so important to treat your chronic condition in its infancy.

It Oftentimes Gets Worse – Your pain condition may not be all that uncomfortable at the outset, and you may think that it’s not bothersome enough to warrant professional attention. The problem is that continuing to do the same things that led to its onset in the first place means that the condition will likely only continue to get worse. Mild discomfort will become moderate pain and moderate pain can eventually become severe and debilitating. Stop small problems before they snowball.

Easier To Treat At The Outset – Chronic pain treatment also tends to be more effective when it’s in its infancy. Smaller problems are easier to treat than severe conditions, so by putting off treatment, you’re also decreasing the likelihood that you’ll experience complete pain relief.

It Takes A Toll – Chronic pain takes a significant toll on your physical, mental and emotional health, and it can have negative consequences for all of these aspects if left untreated for long enough. Chronic pain conditions have been linked to an increased risk of mood disorders and mental health issues like anxiety or depression, so the longer you put off treatment, the greater your risk of related health problems.

Treatment Is Easier Than You Think – One thing we oftentimes hear from patients is that treatment was easier than they imagined and they wish they would have sought us out sooner. That’s not saying that treating your pain will be as simple as taking a pill once a day, but you may find major improvements to your condition and overall health by doing some simple things like tweaking your diet and doing 15 minutes of physical therapy exercises each day.

If you’re ready to take the first step in treating your chronic pain condition, don’t wait any longer. Pick up the phone and give Dr. Cohn and his team a call today at (952) 738-4580.