The Persistent Pain Cycle

The Persistent Pain Cycle.

Hard to conceptualise and can be even harder to explain. Here is a simplified flowchart:

First, an injury or damage occurs to the body which triggers a cascade of events:

1. Activation of nociceptors (pain receptors)

2. Transmission of pain signals to the spinal cord and brain

3. Processing of pain signals in the brain, including interpretation and perception

4. Emotional response to pain, including fear, anxiety, and stress

5. Activation of stress response system, including release of cortisol and other stress hormones

6. Amplification of pain signals due to stress response and emotional response

7. Central sensitisation, where over time the nervous system becomes more sensitive to the ongoing pain signals

8. Chronic pain, which can persist for months/years

9. Changes in brain structure and function due to chronic pain

10. Continued activation of emotional responses

11. Continued activation of stress response system (cortisol etc)

.. which then causes even more amplification of pain signals and central sensitisation. And so the cycle continues...