Relieving Spinal Pain with Emotion – Does this work?

Can dealing with emotional stress affect our spine pain?
 
In a number of ways, spinal problems are often compounded by the presence of stress. Among these
ways are the effects of stress on the spine via the sympathetic nervous ‘fight or flee’ reaction.
 
It is extremely interesting to note that pain is not a sensation, but rather, an emotional response. Pain and suffering are perceived in the limbic system or ‘the emotional brain.’ (1) This is true for both physical and emotional pain and suffering. There may be sensations associated with pain perception (interpreted in the somatosensory cortex), but the actual suffering that we call pain is registered in the limbic system. Pain is amplified by emotional stress because the awareness of both pain and the emotions reside in the same place in the brain and affect the limbic neuron firing rates. Hence, physical pain is amplified by emotional stress! (1)
 
A randomized, controlled trial of Chronic Low back pain (CLBP) patients indicated that 8 Neuro Emotional Technique interventions, compared to placebo, produced clinically and statistically significant reductions in pain, disability and inflammatory biomarkers, and improvements in quality-of-life measures (2).
 
NET is a technique we use at Sprouting Health. If you are interested in hearing more, contact our practice for an appointment and have a talk to one of our Doctors of Chiropractic.
 
 
References

1. Schmitt WH, McCord KM. Relieving spinal stress with ‘Emotional Recall Quick Fix’. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2022;2.6 URL: apcj.net/papers-issue-2-6/#SchmittStressRelease. Accessed 15/6/22
2. Bablis P, Pollard H, Rosner AL. Stress reduction via neuro-emotional technique to achieve the simultaneous resolution of chronic low back pain with multiple inflammatory and biobehavioural indicators: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2022 Mar 1;20(2):135-44.