Pain, Is it all in your mind?: Silje Endersen Reme at TEDxNHH

Silje Endresen Reme's talks about the common phenomenon of back pain; why some people develop chronic pain and disability while others don't, and what psychology has to do with it. Silje is a PhD. from Uni Health, Uni Research, Bergen & Harvard School of Public Health, Boston.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[GeorgieOldfieldSIRPA]

I'm surprised this talk hasn't been seen by more people because awareness of this concept is definitely growing at last.  Having worked in the field of stress-induced chronic pain for the past 8 years, finally the studies mentioned here are coming to light and there is more openness than there was. The interest in the brain and the mind in chronic pain has meant that more studies are being published.  As well as the studies mentioned in the talk there is also evidence of a strong link between chronic pain and adverse childhood experiences, which clearly shows that we need to look further than the area the pain is felt to find the answer.  Great talk Silje.

[montereydentist]

I think most of pain is mental. Sometimes if I'm in pain and get distracted, I forget about the pain.

[PeteS_]

I realised I fear pain and avoid it. The problem with this is that i avoid life due to this.

[FishbowlSoulSwimming]

Great talk! Reinforces Dr. John Sarno's theories and treatment modalities for chronic pain.

[terrysmith]

You mean like chronic long term, to the point of incapacitation, I feel like ive been shot through everyday, and sometimes opioids work, but when it starts to disintegrate you, your in trouble, someone dying on a daily basis, god help us. Mother in law you must be joking, those who have it have no family or proper home. This from a senior who has been slammed by life, work and the struggle itself. Wunderbar, show me the cure, beyond cutting the nerve and all while still having the drive to accomplish things.

[fluffgirl]

actually i experience the worst pain about 4 years ago my guts got twisted or something ...and while i was waiting for the ambulance i though i could never control that with my mind when i got to the hospital they pump me full of drugs and i was so grateful there is a limit to what your body can take

[cerysinpain]

I don't understand extrapolating from 1/3 of the sample to form the backbone of this theory of "pain is in the mind". No doubt psychosocial factors influence pain perception. However, researchers often fail to recognize how this approach is actively used by medicine and society to belittle persons in severe pain. Creating unattainable expectations and continuing derogatory assessments results in a self-fulfilling prophecy about the importance of psychosocial factors as patients are pushed into depression, anxiety, and isolation because their physical pain is dismissed as a secondary problem.

[ihopeyourhappyferreira]

Degenerative disc disease, bone on bone... also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 12 years ago. MRI's of back and brain showing damage that cannot be fixed. I can pretty much detect if I have pain or otherwise. I wish more than anything I didn't have Multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
This video was back in 2012, I'm texting in December of 2018. SO much more information has come out about pain and how to address it. Pain is REAL...NOT imaginary! Those who suffer with it day to day know.

[roadwornandy]

Great presentation of an extremely complex (and fascinating) topic. Awareness of the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain is increasing in the medical community, although it is not even close to being routine for most healthcare professionals to screen and address this in most settings (at least here in Sweden). Patient awareness and acceptance is often a hurdle, but this is in part due to the emphasis on the biomedical model used in mainstream medicine. It is a challenge to convey this to many patients, without implying that their pain is “imagined”. I find that explaining the neurological and endocrinological changes that can occur with chronic pain to be more accepting to most sufferers - ie neural sensitisation and HPA axis response can be a good starting point before discussing other issues such as adverse childhood events and stress-related pain (thank you Georgie Oldfield for your excellent course!), . Although of course, we are all individuals and a “one size fits all” approach is seldom the best way. Offering flexible and holistic treatment plans, that include diet, sleep, physical activity and stress probably offer a good foundation.

[liladove]

"Lyme disease AND co-infections, are now at epidemic levels, with a minimum estimate of 300, 000 new cases a year in the U.S.A. alone. The saddest thing is, the MAJORITY do not know they are infected, while doctors misdiagnose them! Lower back pain is one the most common symptoms in untreated advanced Lyme. Lyme damages the synovial tissue in joints, and this doe NOT show on MRI's, CT scans, X-ray with contrast, and other diagnostics! Pain becomes a 24/7 issue with adanced Lyme nd co-infections, and the pain is real. You would hurt too, having spirochetes literally drilling their way through the body - they do not stay in the blood strream.

[eddybrevet]

Back pain in my head, nope herniated disc, ten years of it, finally since traction relieved pain, decided to stay stretched, three months later, completely over

[snarewrek]

Amazing stuff. But why so few views?!! This can potential help so many people!

[dochelp]

You must ask the question for each pain, “Is the pain system correct or is it mistaken?” Chronic pain is a disease of the pain system where it’s no longer is protective. If the pain system is working there will be a bio mechanical issue, if it is not, the threat signal will be wrong and then chronic pain management will rely heavily on the affective-motivational defects in behaviour. Lorimer Moseley would appreciate your use of his spider story! Thank you!

[richardshort]

I'm laying in bed with a bad back. I fell asleep and dreamt that I was getting out of bed. The pain woke me up and i am still in bed (???)

[rajeshwarsharma]

Pain and painful emotions are stored in the memory and are holographically retrieved to accentuate the present pain. In addition intense brain waves from ongoing issues and stressors add to these. Thus the resultant brain activity gives rise to pain.

[TheChiropracticTable]

What questionnaires did you use to get info on their stress, depression, hopefulness, catastrophising etc ? Just wondering how I can incorporate this into clinical practice. Thanks

[KOBDBODYBUILDING]

I work in the field of vocational rehabilitation and from my observations this is very accurate. I believe the same trend pertains to MTBI's

[HenkPoley]

A recent publication ( doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2675-y ) had success in treating back pain with antibiotics against acne bacteria, which can invade the cartilage of the spine.

[dj.culture]

is it just me or does anyone else suffer from just back pain. Before being hit by a speeding car my work- family were all great. I go to all these Psychologists and they ask all these questions to convince themselves that my pain has psychosocial elements....
I tell them my back only hurts when I overstress the injury but they just don't get it...fortunately, I have found that pain specialists see things a lot clearer (I've just had a spinal modulation device)...
Anyone who has experienced similar challenges to me please contact me.

[minimaxhall]

Fantastisk presentasjon. Du gjør meg stolt. :) 
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