Professor Peter Drummond, Murdoch University's Director of the Centre for Research on Chronic Pain, and our Ambassador Dr Adrian Lopresti explore the relationship pain has with thoughts, emotions, mental health and sleep.

The discussion begins with Prof Drummond exploring the influence of thoughts and emotions on one’s perception of pain with a detailed discussion on various pathways that pain travels through the brain which results in the experience of feeling pain. Pyschological state seems to play a huge role in colouring pain perception where fear, anxiety, depression leads to an increased pain signalling. Prof Drummond explains how psycholeducation techniques have been proven to alter one’s experience of pain through reprocessing therapy and relaxation that affects one’s ability to control and manage their pain better.

Covered in this episode

[00:52] Welcoming Professor Peter Drummond

[01:37] Can emotions affect pain?

[06:18] Fear can switch pain off

[08:27] Perceptions of pain can affect pain sensation chronic pain and recovery

[12:57] The bidirectional relationship between emotions and pain

[16:37] Connections between stress and migraine

[23:34] Affects of sleep on pain

[26:40] The importance of psychoeducation in managing pain

[31:16] Pain reprocessing therapy: changing beliefs about pain

[34:08] Pain-related questionnaires and assessment tools

[36:41] Using relaxation techniques to manage chronic pain

[38:45] Biofeedback

[40:13] Thanking Peter and closing remarks

Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/the-psychology-of-pain

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