Pain Neuroscience Education

Pain neuroscience education applies the biopsychosocial model of pain, integrating treatment of peripheral and central nociceptive components with other contributors of pain. Part of the goal is to have patients actively engaged in behaviors that increase activity, turn down the volume of the nervous system, and to help them understand that although pain is physically painful it’s not actually dangerous in those moments. Pain neuroscience education is:

• An emerging front runner model of education
• More of a style to communicate with patients
• Used to decrease the focus on specific anatomical structures and reconceptualize the patient’s pain to focus more on recovery than causes of pain
• A way to show a deeper level of understanding about the science around pain, the experience and all the components that affect how they will process a pain experience
• A way to change their perceptions of pain
• A way to help patients understand what is in their control and help them move towards behavior change
• Delivered by physical therapists, pain psychologists, medical providers, and nurses
• Used to help patients change their perception of their own pain experience