05/20/2025
I recently decided to learn more about an emerging area of therapy known as Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). It's well-studied approach that's been around for more than 10 years. But many of us, including licensed mental health counselors like myself, it is not well-known. While I am only at the earliest-stage of learning, I wanted to provide some basic information designed to educate and spark discussion.
Pain often starts after a physical injury, such as a slip and fall or car accident. Pain can also be caused by the "wear and tear" on your body which result from repetitive motions such as with playing golf or tennis. For most people, once the body has time to heal the injury, the pain gradually decreases and fades away. However, in some situations, the pain continues even after the body has healed. Constant pain leads to frustration, fear and sadness. That's where PRT can be really useful.
PRT treats chronic pain by helping the brain reinterpret pain signals as non-dangerous. Research, including a 2021 major, randomized, controlled study reported in JAMA Psychiatry, provide support that it can significantly reduce or even eliminate chronic pain in some individuals.
But a word of caution. Prior to PRT, it is absolutely essential to see a physician or other healthcare professional to diagnose and treat the underlying medical condition without delay. There are many, serious and life-threatening conditions which require immediate attention and can only be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.
With that in mind, here are 3 steps that have been shown to lower pain:
1. Reconceptualize the Pain as Brain-Generated
Understand that chronic pain is not always due to tissue damage, but often results from the brain misinterpreting safe signals as dangerous.
This shift reduces fear and threat perception, which can diminish the brain's overreaction and lower pain intensity.
Example: Instead of thinking “my back is damaged,” the person learns to think, “my brain is generating this pain, but my body is actually safe.”
2. Engage in Somatic Tracking
Gently bring attention to the pain in a curious, non-fearful way, noticing its qualities without judgment or avoidance.
This reduces the emotional charge around pain, calming the nervous system and reinforcing that the sensation is not dangerous.
Example: Saying to yourself, “I’m noticing a burning sensation in my leg right now—it’s uncomfortable, but it’s not harmful.”
3. Address and Challenge Fear-Avoidance Beliefs
Identify and reframe fears related to movement, activity, or pain itself (e.g., "If I move, I’ll make it worse").
Fear of pain can actually perpetuate and intensify it.
Challenging these beliefs helps the brain stop interpreting signals as threats.
Example: Gradually returning to avoided activities while reinforcing safety with statements like, “It’s safe to move—I’m not causing harm."