Many people think that pain always comes from damage in the body.
But that’s not always true.
With chronic pain, there is sometimes no clear cause in the body.
Still, the pain feels real.
That’s because pain is also controlled in the brain.
In this blog I explain what that means and what you can do about it. No time to read the blog? Download MotiMove directly!
What is chronic pain?
Pain that lasts longer than 3 months is called chronic pain.
It can start after an accident, illness, or surgery.
Sometimes the pain remains even when the body has already healed.
That can be very frustrating.
Why pain is in the brain
Pain is a signal that goes from your nerves to your brain.
With chronic pain, that alarm system stays “on” for too long.
The brain keeps sending pain signals, even when there is no more damage.
You could say the pain gets “stuck” in the brain.
This can happen due to:
- Long-term stress
- Fear of movement
- Poor sleep
- Not moving for a long time
The role of emotions and thoughts
Your emotions and thoughts can make pain stronger.
Are you afraid to move? Then your brain can issue extra warnings.
Do you feel low or tense? Then the pain can feel more intense.
This doesn’t mean the pain is imagined.
The pain is real, but the cause now mainly lies in how the brain processes signals.
What helps with pain from the brain?
The good news: the brain can be “retrained”.
This is called pain education and active rehabilitation.
Important steps are:
- Moving (building up gradually)
- Sleeping better
- Learning about pain
- Reducing stress
- Gaining positive experiences with movement
The more you show your brain that moving is safe, the fewer pain signals it will send.
Why movement is so important
If you’ve had pain for a long time, it’s understandable that you move less.
But sitting still often makes the problem worse.
With gentle, safe exercises, you help your brain get used to movement.
This can slowly reduce the pain.
The MotiMove app helps you with this.
You get:
- Tailored exercise videos
- Facts about pain
- Option to see your progress
- Tips to stay motivated
Frequently asked questions
Are you saying the pain is all in my head?
No. The pain is real. It’s just that the place where pain is controlled is the brain.
Can chronic pain go away completely?
For some people yes, for others it mainly decreases. It depends on many factors.
Does only movement help?
Movement is important, but stress, sleep, and thoughts also play a role.
How do I start moving safely?
Choose gentle exercises, listen to your body, and build up slowly.
Download MotiMove
Do you want to learn how to move safely with pain?
The MotiMove app gives you clear exercises, explanations about pain, and helps you move forward step by step.