Nerves
Master control system
The nervous system is the common denominator between all systems. In order to maintain balance and good health, messages are continuously sent and received between the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and nerves that control organs, glands and blood vessels.
A stressful or painful situation activates three major communication systems in the brain that regulate bodily functions:
The voluntary nervous system, which sends messages to muscles to respond to sensory information such as heat, cold or pain.
The autonomic nervous system, which controls the heart, organs, glands and blood vessels. The autonomic nervous system also controls the response to stress (fight/flight). An overactive stress response can lead to increased inflammation, weakened immune function, and reduced ability to cope with pain. People with painful conditions such as fibromyalgia are known to have problems with the autonomic nervous system, which can contribute to their pain.
The neuroendocrine system, which maintains hormone levels. Stress hormones travel through the blood and stimulate the release of other hormones that can affect processes such as metabolic rate, adrenal, thyroid, and gut function.
People who are under stress, anxious, fearful, or in pain will have more reactive responses from the brain to cope with their environment. This will lead to wear and tear on the nervous system resulting in chronic overactivity or inactivity of the three communication systems, and functional disease.
Types of pain
In experiencing pain, people tend to confuse two types: nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Often grouping both kinds pain into “nerve” pain, such as “sciatica” for example. There is a difference between nociceptive and neuropathic pain, and their respective treatment protocols.
Nociceptive (tissue) pain
Nociceptive pain is derived from the various tissue structures of the body. Nociceptors are nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain. Nociceptors can be found in almost all tissue structures, from joints to organs. When tissue is traumatised, nociceptors send signals to the central nervous system and the brain interprets this as pain. Some people can cope with more nociceptive pain because of the way their nervous system is wired.
Neuropathic (nerve) pain
Nerve pain occurs in situations in which the source of pain does not come from the tissue (where it is perceived to be) but due to damage to the nervous system itself; damage to either the peripheral nerve, e.g. sciatic, or pain processing pathways in the spinal cord and brain. Damage can be due to blunt force trauma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, or infection for example.
Generally, neuropathic or nerve pain, is defined as injury to neural structures rather than tissue. Neuropathic pain is persistent, can be burning, shooting, or electric in quality. Other issues, such as increased sensitivity in the central nervous system or fight/flight system, can drive ongoing nerve pain.
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Understanding which type of pain a person is experiencing and what exactly is generating the pain is fundamental to appropriate treatment and resolution of the problem. Dr Neil is is currently undertaking a PhD in chronic pain and the autonomic nervous system, and has many years of experience in treating complex painful conditions.