PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy

Reprogramming The Brain's Pain Response

04.22.2024 - By Jimmy McKay, PT, DPTPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

In this episode, Spencer Blackman explains how he uses symbolic sensations to retrain the brain's interpretation of pain signals. He explains how the lower primitive parts of our brain can get stuck in threat response loops after injuries, keeping muscles tense and nerves firing years after tissues have healed. We discuss how finding the symbolic sensation of what the brain is trying to do in that area, like "pulling away" or "squishing", and solving for that can abruptly shift chronic pain patterns. Spencer shares how this method can provide lasting pain relief by updating the brain's conceptual map and response to those signals.

More episodes from PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy