Types of Pain – Psychogenic (Read it to find out if you have it) 

There are three sources of pain

1. Nociceptive Pain – local inflammation and chemicals released that regulate the initiation of pain (bradykinin and enhance by prostaglandins).
2. Peripheral Neuropathic pain – PAIN DISORDER – where peripheral nerves (outside the brain) sending sensory information to the brain, are damaged usually by Diabetes and Herpes Zoster (Chicken pox).
3. Psychogenic pain – PAIN DISORDER IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (brain and spine) associated with psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic disorder. There is no physical cause and pain killers are ineffective.

Pain chemicals go up to the brain which are stimulatory (such as Substance P for pain, of course).

The brain has chemicals that can reduce the perception of pain and go out along the central nervous system (such as Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Dopamine).

What can induce Psychogenic?

Ascending Pathway to CNS

Anxiety and fear – causes Norepinephrine which constricts muscles and bloods vessels and then reduces oxygen to tissues. This damages tissues and sends pain chemicals to the brain. This activates unpleasant memories of the past pain.

Descending Pain Inhibitory Pathway into CNS

Depression – reduces the release of serotonin and promotes psychogenic pain.

This type of pain worsens over time. It becomes vaguer and more inaccurate. Many cases of over treatment have occurred.

Extreme cases where all the teeth have been removed and the pain still persists.Emotion amplifies the memory of pain.

A memory of past experienced pain can make you feel the pain from the same area of injury when depressed or stressed.

So, what can we do about this Psychogenic Pain?

The answer is in your head, specifically in your brain.

INCREASE SEROTOTN RELEASE within the CNS reduces chronic pain

How?

The more relaxed you feel the less the pain is. The more serotonin is released.

Eating more protein-based foods that contain Tryptophan, an amino acid, which is a building block for Serotonin.

This CNS chemical inhibits the release of norepinephrine which promotes anxiety/fear and psychogenic pain.

Medication that stops the natural reduction of Serotonin (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor = SSRI meds) and that keep the levels up.

However, to naturally increase the release of Serotonin you need to be exposed to the sun, take a hot bath, meet people, and exercise regularly.

The more time for eating, drinking and talking, the more serotonin.