People with unrelenting pain don’t only suffer from the nonstop sensation of pain, they also have trouble sleeping, are often depressed, anxious and even have difficulty making simple decisions.  In a new study, investigators at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have identified a clue that may explain how suffering long-term pain could trigger these other pain-related symptoms.

Researchers found that in a healthy pain-free brain all the regions exist in a state of equilibrium. Normally, when one region of he brain is active, the others quiet down. But in people with chronic back pain, a front region of the cortex mostly associated with emotion “never shuts up!” (as evident in the picture by more colored areas).  This constant feeling of pain could cause permanent damage to the brain!

If you or someone you know is suffering from back pain, use your brain….call us!