Chronic pain
Chronic pain as a disturbed signal between the body and brain. Feeling pain is a natural alarm signal given by our body to show that something is going wrong. Without pain sensation, we wouldn't know we're hurting ourselves and we could die from infections. Pain is therefore essential. Pathological pain is the result of an injury or malfunctioning of the sensory nervous system. This can become chronic
What is it?
How does pain occur?
There are 3 pain systems in our brain. There are 2 “pain delivery” systems. The first system (lateral system) provides us with information about the location and intensity of the pain. The pain stimulus runs via nerve tracts in the periphery to the spinal cord and is transported from there to the sensory cortex in the brain.
The second pain system (medial system) determines the emotional and motivational value of the pain. Not the sensory cortex but the anterior cingulate cortex, the amygdala and the insula play an important role here.
However, there is also a pain-suppressing system that runs from the pregenual gyrus cinguli anterior to the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, the peri-aquaductal grey and from there on to the spinal cord to block incoming pain stimuli.
Whether or not you perceive pain depends on the balance between pain supply and pain suppression.
Chronic pain is long-term pain that lasts longer than six months. The experience of this pain comes from abnormal interactions in the brain network, rather than from continuous physical input from pain receptors. The pain signal from the body to the brain and vice versa is disrupted.
Scientific research shows that there has been an imbalance between parts of the brain that generate pain (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and somatosensory cortex) and parts that suppress pain (pregenual anterior cingulate cortex).
In patients with chronic pain, a qEEG is taken to locate the source of the pain in the brain. In addition to source localization, we also measure the functional connections between brain regions that play an important role in generating, maintaining and inhibiting pain stimuli.
Chronic pain is therefore an imbalance between pain stimulus and its suppression by the brain and can be treated with neuromodulation.
How to treat
First, the cause of pain should be ascertained and possibly treated. There is no point in using neuromodulation when the pain is caused by a cut. If the cause of the pain cannot be found or treated, the treatment focus on the symptom itself: the pain.
Our scientific research shows that chronic pain is the result of disturbances in communication between different brain networks. In particular, deviations between the “somatosensory network” (feeling), the “salience network” (suffering), the “default-mode network” (embodiment), the “central executive network” (cognitive disability) and the “motor network” (physical disability) play a crucial role in the chronic development of pain. The severity of the pain experience also depends strongly on the connections between these brain networks.
By influencing various components of these brain networks via transcranial electrical whether magnetic stimulation the pain sensation may decrease.
Other conditions that we treat
Auditory and vestibular disorders
These disorders are related to hearing and balance and can have a major impact on your daily life.
.png)
Neurological and cognitive disorders
These disorders affect brain function, which can lead to problems with attention, memory, and motor skills.
Mental and emotional disorders
Mental illness can be deeply rooted in neurobiological dysfunctions.
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Syndromes
Chronic pain and fatigue are often difficult to treat with conventional methods, especially when there is no obvious physical cause.
Fatigue syndromes and sleep disorders
Sleep and energy management are essential for brain function. Problems in these areas can lead to severe tiredness and difficulty concentrating.
Headache and facial pain disorders
Headaches and facial pain can result from complex neurological processes.
Ready to take the first step?
Our specialists are here to help you. Find out what treatments are possible or schedule a consultation.