How Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) Changes Your Brain — and Your Pain
When most people think about pain, they think about tissues: a torn muscle, an inflamed joint, a bulging disc.
But the truth is — pain isn’t just about tissue damage.
It’s about how your brain interprets threat.
At SB Mindful Momentum Physical Therapy Co. here in Santa Barbara and Montecito, I specialize in treating chronic pain and educating my patients about the true nature of pain — because understanding it can be a critical part of healing.
Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is a powerful tool that helps patients reframe their pain experience — and research shows it can actually change brain activity and significantly lower the perception of pain itself.
Let’s dive into what one study found.
What the Study Showed
A recent study using fMRI brain scans measured brain activity before and after a patient received just 25 minutes of Pain Neuroscience Education. The results were fascinating.
Image Description:
Three rows of axial brain MRI scans showing pain-related brain activity before and after Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE). Top row: Baseline scans taken while the patient was at rest, showing minimal activation in pain-processing areas. Middle row: Scans taken during a pain-provoking task , demonstrating extensive activation in pain-processing regions (highlighted in red). Bottom row: Scans taken during the same pain-provoking task after a 25-minute PNE session, showing a significant reduction in brain activity in pain-processing areas.
Here’s what happened:
➔ Top Row:
The woman's brain was scanned in a calm, stress-free environment.
There was very little activity in the regions responsible for producing and processing pain (which is what we want).
➔ Middle Row:
The same woman was asked to perform a task that usually triggered her pain (in this case, abdominal bracing).
Her brain lit up dramatically — all those red regions showing heightened pain-processing activity.
➔ Bottom Row:
She performed the same task again — after receiving just 25 minutes of Pain Neuroscience Education.
This time, there was a significant reduction in pain-related brain activity.
Even more impressive, she showed:
Improved spinal flexibility
Reduced neural tension
Less pain
Decreased fear of movement
This is why education is a major part of how I treat chronic pain at my Montecito physical therapy practice.
Why This Matters
This study beautifully illustrates what I’m so passionate about:
Pain Neuroscience Education doesn’t just change how you think about pain —
It literally changes how your brain processes it.
Pain is complex.
It’s not just about tissues.
It’s about perception, context, beliefs, emotions, and your nervous system’s response to perceived threats.
When patients truly understand their pain:
1 in 3 experience reduced pain
1 in 2 experience improved function
(And yes — these outcomes are backed by clinical research.)
If you are struggling with persistent pain in Santa Barbara or Montecito, and looking for a physical therapist who goes beyond traditional methods, you're in the right place.
The Bottom Line
Knowledge is powerful. 💡
Sometimes the most effective tool for healing isn’t another surgery, injection, or passive modality —
It’s understanding your own body and mind.
At SB Mindful Momentum Physical Therapy Co., I combine evidence-based physical therapy with mindfulness practices to help patients heal from chronic pain, regain function, and reconnect with their bodies — naturally and sustainably.
Because when we change the story around pain,
We change the experience of pain itself.
Looking for expert physical therapy in Santa Barbara or Montecito?
Contact me to learn more about how Pain Neuroscience Education and holistic physical therapy can help you move forward.
