30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- According to a study published in Medical Daily, anxiety may be biologically linked to chronic pain.
- A team of researchers from three different countries identified the biological mechanism between neurons and an area in the brain where anxiety and pain sufferers experience more activity.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center explain why anxiety and chronic pain sufferers share a biological mechanism.
Researchers from various countries worked together to identify the biological mechanism between neurons and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a part of the brain that exhibits increased activity for those suffering from anxiety and pain. The ACC has many functions, some of which include decision making, physiological and psychological regulation.
Nevertheless, the team of researchers found that the process where neurons transmit signals to one another called Long Term Potentiation (LTP), also occurs in the ACC. This is important to understand because LTP has the ability to make persistent pain, chronic, and if physicians can inhibit LTP’s functionality, they can effectively reduce pain.
Understanding the relationship between the LTP and ACC will help scientists develop a way to not only block chronic pain symptoms, but block signals being sent to the brain that facilitate anxiety. More on this study can be found on the publication’s website. For now, pain specialists like the ones at Southwest Spine and Pain Center have other ways of reducing anxiety and chronic pain. In fact, the practice has a behavioral health therapist who will act as a supplement to the interventional pain treatment options offered at the clinics.
This new addition will help patients receive comprehensive care and improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life. Some of the services provided through the new behavioral health therapist include: Stress Management, Health Coaching, Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar, Trauma, Suicidality/Self-Harm, Addictions, Grief and loss, Psychological Factors of Pain, Family Stress, Parenting Challenges, Teen Issues, Couple/Marital Distress, Infidelity, Sexual Intimacy Challenges, Lack of social Support, Financial Stress, Career Concerns, Life Balance Issues, Chronic Illness.
Call Southwest Spine and Pain Center today to learn more about behavioral and functional medicine!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With five locations in Utah and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.