One of my teachers in high school was very open about her struggles with chronic pain. She would let us know on days when it was severe, and she was unable to stand in front of our classroom and teach in a traditional lecture format. She has recurring bone spurs in her heel that would flare up throughout the year. I had her multiple times from 7th to 12th grade and my classmates and I could see how the pain changed over time and the ways it affected her life.
There are many ways that people can manage their chronic pain, and some methods can cause more harm than good when it comes to relieving stress and pain. Some people might resort to drinking copious amounts of alcohol, sleeping to avoid the pain, or overusing prescription and/or over the counter pain medications. Some experts recommend meditation, support groups, and a balanced diet as healthy alternative ways to manage chronic pain.
Scientists have also been working to develop gene therapies that target genes in the cerebrospinal fluid and the amygdala. One promising study suggests using recombinant viral vectors to inhibit nociception in sensory neurons (Wilson and Yeomans, 2000). This experiment used an antisense calcitonin gene-related peptide (ACGRP2) to target and dull pain centers in rodent brains. These therapies target the receptors and coding genes to study feedback systems in the amygdala as a way to combat chronic pain and stress conditions.
There are many drugs available that inhibit pain pathways. One example I found was Riluzole. This drug is typically used to treat pain associated with ALS because it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and inhibits hyperactivity of SK channels (calcium-activated potassium channels). I also found a study that applied neuropeptide S as a nasal spray to inhibit arthritis-related pain located in the amygdala.
I think psychological factors play a huge role in the way our society views chronic pain. As the ted talk said, the way we learn about pain and how we deal with it is instilled in us our entire lives, and as we grow and experience our own pain we will still be influenced by our past. There are also social factors at play like views of masculinity and toughness and our ability to push through the pain. These ideas are conveyed to us through family interactions, movies, and participation in sports. If you are taught from a young age that “it’s not that bad,” then you might be willing to endure pain for a longer time than admit that you need help with chronic pain, until it is unbearable.
Burke, N. et al. (2013). Altered neuropathic pain behavior in a rat model of depression is associated with changes in inflammatory gene expression in the amygdala. Retrieved from: doi: 10.1111/gbb.12080
Harvard Health. (2020). Watch out for unhealthy responses to stress. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/watch-out-for-unhealthy-responses-to-stress
Scripps Research Institute. (2014). Nociceptin: Nature’s Balm for the stressed brain. Retrieved from: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2014/20140108roberto.html
Thompson, J. M., & Neugebauer, V. (2017). Amygdala Plasticity and Pain. Pain research & management, 2017, 8296501. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8296501
WebMD. (2020). 11 tips for living with chronic pain. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/11-tips-for-living-with-chronic-pain#1
Wilson, S., and Yeomans, D. (2000) Genetic therapy for pain management. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-000-0068-5