WATCH: Explaining The Mystery Of Chronic Pain

We think of pain as a symptom of a disease -- and usually it is, often stemming from something like a tumor, an infection or an operation. But, about 10 percent of the time, the pain itself is the problem.

“Pain is a disease,” said pediatric anesthesiologist Elliot Krane, chief of the Pediatric Pain Management Service at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. During a talk titled “The Mystery of Chronic Pain” for TED, a “nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading,” Krane described how sometimes the nervous system can morph to create a “positive feedback loop” that sends pain signals to an area of your body.

“It’s almost as if somebody came into your home and rewired your walls so that the next time you turned on the light switch, the toilet flushed three doors down, or your dishwasher went on or your computer monitor turned off.” Krane said. “That’s crazy, but that’s in fact, what happens with chronic pain.”

To explain how it feels, Krane picked up a feather on stage and brushed it against his arm -- he then picked up a torch and quickly brushed the flame up to his arm. “Now what does it have to do with chronic pain?” he asked. “Imagine if you will these two ideas together. Imagine what your life would be like if I were to stroke it with this feather but your brain would tell you that this (the flame of the torch) is what you were feeling. And that is the experience of my patients with chronic pain.

Check out Dr. Krane’s talk below, where he tells the story of a 16-year-old patient whose seemingly innocuous wrist sprain developed into a severe case of chronic pain and discusses possible treatment options, as well.

WATCH:

Comments

[truly moderate]

06:01 AM on 06/09/2011

TENS units show that pain signals work on multiple pathways, so this article makes a lot of sense someone like myself that has a disc and RA inflamation issue. Essentially TENS units send electrical pulses that "cover" a big area than the pain signal (called the gate theory) as well as release endorphins (pain killing natural chemicals) to the affected areas.

Also, some pain medications are contain weaker opioid affects yet kill pain relatively efficiently due to norephedrine reuptake inhibition (NE reutake works on desending pathways, opioids work on asending pathways). The dual tech makes for less addictive yet effective medications.

Look up Nucynta (tapentadol) which is comparable to oxycodone yet it is LESS abusable. The tech started with tramadol 25 years ago.

[Terri Lorz]

10:06 AM on 05/24/2011

Thanks for the article - Terri Jo Lorz

[HawaiiSteve]

03:36 AM on 05/21/2011

I live in chronic pain from a spinal cord injury I suffered in a car accident in 2005. I take opiates every day to take the edge off, but they don't really stop the pain. Last year, I had a spinal cord stimulator surgically implanted into my spinal cord. It sends electrical impulses into my nervous system that help to mask some of the pain radiating out form the damaged area. Living in Hawaii, I am also allowed to use medical cannabis and it does wonders in helping me to sleep.

One of the most important tool I've discovered is mindfulness meditation. Learning to be aware of the moment, and not focus on the past or future is a big help. I've learned how not to feel sorry for myself for the damage done in the past, nor do I despair anymore about being crippled in the future. I just try to find a way to appreciate the present, moment by moment.

I've also embraced Victor Frankel's Logos Therapy by focusing on creating a productive future for myself through education and volunteerism. I highly recommend that anyone going through chronic pain read his book, "Man's Search for Meaning." It literally changed my life and maybe even saved it. I could not walk for a few years after my accident, and I got very depressed. Frankel's book gave me new hope and lifted me out of a deep (and potentially dangerous) state, and got me back on track.

[omtaragrace]

11:35 PM on 05/20/2011

The use of low level lasers has become more accessible to people who endure chronic pain. Even the FDA has registered cold lasers as a medical device utilizing light for pain management. I work with a laser that works wonders in the comfort of one's own home. Quantum Wave has delivered a easy to use laser for an impressive list of treatments for common ailments. see my page for much more information: http;//ilovemylaser.com/taragrace

[JOHNSPEAKS]

07:13 PM on 05/20/2011

We were doing research and observations over a couple of years as support staff interacting with mental health clients in one of the top mental health rehabilitation facility (FH) in northern new jersey and thousands of mental health clients in the area. We saw full time continuous kindness create an atmosphere of kindness which reduced the severity of mental disorders and stopped all forms of -Suicide- in mental health clients. We started to see improvements in clients that had cancer and diabetes and autism and developmental disabilities and a host of other disorders? Now we tried to get -Professionals- involved to test some of our ideas and were told time after time that since we were not Professionals nobody's was interested? That was -OK- because we will never know if our bodies can produce natural serotonin full time over a long period of time and this might be able to help or cure all of mankinds disorders and diseases? We saw the beginnings of this as a possiblity, what possibilities for mankind and nobody cares???

[Martin 27514]

09:44 AM on 05/19/2011

Much of chronic pain follows injuries to autonomic nerves and their subsequent re-growth to such densities that "light touch causes pain or discomfort". It does require a proper evaluation and individualised treatment.

www.western-diseases.com

[madame fate]

05:31 PM on 05/18/2011

Welcome to my world. I live in chronic pain 24/7 and it's a challenge making it through the day and night knowing there will be no relief come morning. Under a doctor's care I take opiates to take the edge off but nothing is available for a person, like me, who has multiple allergies, to use to deaden the pain. Too many ailments/chronic diseases that have no cures are a bane to my existence and existence is the correct word to describe my life. I am alive but I am not enjoying my life. My faith prevents me from doing something drastic. I don't recall signing up for this. Must have missed the small print at the bottom of the brochure...

[stape45]

07:51 PM on 05/18/2011

I am sympathetic to your dilemma. (My wife would empathize. She is a Fibromyalgia sufferer.)
But, in this, the Land of Meds-for-Money, A cure is not a desirable thing, as the world of medicine has often become more about the profits than the patient.

[madame fate]

08:06 PM on 05/18/2011

Your wife is in for a rough time. I, too, have that plus 3 other autoimmune diseases (no HIV or AIDS, thank goodness) along with degenerative discs (7) and spinal stenosis. Everything hurts. Makes it hard to have a relationship w/a spouse. My husband has already earned his wings living w/me. I'll bet your wife thinks the same of you. It's a helpless feeling to see someone suffer and be unable to help them. She's lucky to have you in her life.

If it's okay w/you and your wife I'll keep your wife in my prayers for healing/lessening of pain. Just tell me "okay" or "mind my own business". Your choice will be fine with me. Best to you and your wife. :)

[Kate Stoune]

10:25 AM on 05/19/2011

Chronic pain is so awful. Have you tried cannabis?

[madame fate]

02:42 PM on 05/19/2011

I take prescription drugs and in my state I have to get my meds from a pain management clinic which involves drug testing and xrays every 3 months. Cannabis in my system would be reason to toss me out of the program. I cannot afford to have that happen. Bummer.

But thanks for the suggestion. Wish I could use it...